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Digital entrepreneurial platform capability: Instrument development and validation, and its impact on entrepreneurial performance

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  • Mady, Khalid
  • Anwar, Imran
  • Aboelmaged, Mohamed
  • Sulub, Mohamed Ahmed

Abstract

Digital platforms have increasingly become pivotal tools in the entrepreneurial landscape. A significant body of literature on digital entrepreneurship has conceptualized the role of digital platforms in enabling entrepreneurial activities. However, despite this conceptual foundation, empirical evidence on how digital platforms enhance entrepreneurial performance remains limited, and there is no adequate instrument for measuring digital platform capabilities in the entrepreneurial context. Therefore, this paper has a twofold purpose: first, to develop and validate a multidimensional scale for measuring digital entrepreneurial platform capabilities from the entrepreneurs' perspective; and second, to assess the impact of these platforms on entrepreneurial performance. Using a psychometric approach to scale development, this research develops and validates a 23-item, four-dimensional scale for measuring the capabilities of digital platforms. The nomological validity of the developed instrument is then evaluated by examining the direct link between digital entrepreneurial platform capabilities and entrepreneurial performance. These findings contribute to existing studies on digital entrepreneurship by developing a comprehensive measure of platform capabilities and offering entrepreneurs practical strategies for leveraging digital platforms to optimize performance in the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Mady, Khalid & Anwar, Imran & Aboelmaged, Mohamed & Sulub, Mohamed Ahmed, 2025. "Digital entrepreneurial platform capability: Instrument development and validation, and its impact on entrepreneurial performance," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:82:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25000764
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102886
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