Digital Technologies as Catalysts of Entrepreneurial Innovation A CASP-Appraised Systematic Review of 2020–2025 Evidence
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Abstract
This study systematically reviews the role of digital technologies as catalysts for entrepreneurial innovation across diverse industrial and geographical contexts. The PRISMA framework guided the identification, screening, and appraisal of 120 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025, using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). The 94 studies were assessed as strong or moderate, forming the evidence base for synthesis. The findings reveal six interrelated themes: (1) digital platforms and ecosystems, (2) data, artificial intelligence, and algorithms, (3) business models and value creation, (4) policy, regulation, and institutional frameworks, (5) adoption and diffusion, and (6) social impact and sustainability. Strongly appraised studies highlighted the transformative role of digital infrastructures in reshaping entrepreneurial opportunities, while moderately appraised studies pointed to methodological and contextual limitations that temper generalizability. However, geographic concentration in advanced economies, methodological reliance on cross-sectional designs, and fragmented conceptual frameworks constrain the evidence base. Future research should address these gaps through longitudinal, cross-contextual, and interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate ethical, sustainability, and inclusivity dimensions.
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