Change for Entrepreneurial Chances?: E-Government in the European Union 2020 and 2040

Electronic government provides multifarious opportunities for entrepreneurs regarding public-private sector partnerships and the exploitation of administrative benefits. The occurrence of entrepreneurial opportunities is influenced by many distinct intrinsic and external factors. This paper examines the opportunities that occur for entrepreneurs through the electronic implementation of public services across the European Union until the years 2020 and 2040, respectively. The development of the European Union is currently at the crossroads of economic and political stagnation. Building on two scenario analyses, the author thereby accounts for economic and political factors of different possible trajectories of the European Union, analyzing the corresponding state of e-government implementation and deducing implications for entrepreneurial opportunity occurrence. All scenarios show different opportunities emerging from the distinct states of e-government across Europe; these opportunities depend, nonetheless, on the specific market needs and value creation capabilities determined by each scenario presented.