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Destructive Digital Entrepreneurship

Author

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  • Naudé, Wim

    (RWTH Aachen University)

Abstract

This paper provides a selective overview of destructive digital entrepreneurship. The concept is defined and elaborated in the context of the digital revolution post World War II. It is pointed out that the digital revolution was captured by the corporate sector: the incentives for unproductive and destructive entrepreneurship to subvert the digital revolution, was just too strong. Ten subsequent digital dystopias - adverse outcomes resulting from destructive digital entrepreneurship - are discussed. These are digital platform capitalism, tech exceptionalism, the surveillance state, the digital poorhouse, digital divides, the loss of sense-making, digital addiction, digital depression, cybercrime, and awful AI. The paper concludes by exploring how institutional and regulatory frameworks can best reduce the risks from destructive digital entrepreneurship.

Suggested Citation

  • Naudé, Wim, 2023. "Destructive Digital Entrepreneurship," IZA Discussion Papers 16483, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16483
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wim Naudé, 2026. "The African entrepreneurial ecosystem index: conceptual, methodological and empirical flaws and the way forward," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 125-144, February.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • L53 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Enterprise Policy
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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