Development of Entrepreneurial Competencies in the Economy (Evidence From Digital Entrepreneurship)

Active application of digital technologies in all areas of economic activity, i.e. economy digitalization has been taking place over the past few decades. The current stage can be identified as the one during which the processes of digitalization have become particularly intense. There are many aspects of digitalization, one of which is the need for all members of society to acquire digital competencies. For each individual, the acquisition of proper digital competencies is of crucial practical importance: currently, most areas of economic and business activities refuse to work directly with commercial customers and use information and communication technologies for remote communication and service. Therefore, the concept of digital competencies is constantly expanding, and it can no longer be limited exclusively to the educational field.

Materials and methods

The very concept of digitalization and its derivatives have been established in the scientific community relatively recently. It can be assumed that this concept is one of the newest in science in general. The first mention of digitalization comes in the early 1990s: then, against the background of large-scale penetration of computer technology in everyday life, it became clear that this phenomenon cannot be simply reduced to just one of the manifestations of scientific and technological progress. Tapscott D. and P. Samuelson were the authors, who laid the foundations of scientific research in digitalization as a particular phenomenon. In turn, the term of digital economy first appeared in 1995 in connection with the development of economic relations, which were based on the use of digital information and communication technologies. Since then, this term has entrenched in modern scientific circulation. In 2001, Thomas Mesenburg identified three main components of the Digital Economy concept, namely, supporting infrastructure (hardware, software, telecommunications, networks, etc.); e-business (how business processes are conducted through computer networks); and e-commerce (transfer of goods over the Internet). Currently, there is no single approach to the definition of digital economy among scientists. Thus, S. Kolyadenko considers the digital economy as such, based on the production of electronic goods and services by high-tech business structures, and the distribution of these products through e-commerce[1]. Karcheva G. defines the digital economy as an innovative dynamic economy based on the active implementation of innovation, information and communication technologies in all economic activities and living environments that allows increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of individual companies, the economy, as well as the standard of living of the population[2].

The digital economy is seen as "a set of relationships that are formed in the areas of production, distribution, exchange, and consumption, based on online technologies and aimed at meeting the needs for the benefits of life"[3]. This involves the formation of new ways and methods of management. The digital economy leads to the digital transformation of all life spheres, providing them with significant economic and social effects, which in turn opens up new opportunities for the development of entrepreneurship. The rapid development of digital technologies, their penetration into traditional business, the emergence of new types of digital products and services, the mass use of online channels result in the restructuring of business processes, the transformation of business models, marketing management systems, as well as changes in consumer behavior. Professor U. Brenner of the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland states: "Aggressive use of data transforms business models, promotes the emergence of new products and services, creates new processes, generates great utility, and introduces a new management culture"[4]. Innovative business models (freemium, on-demand, crowdsourcing, crowdfunding) allow entrepreneurs and companies to conduct business activities without their own IT infrastructure and software (cloud business, IoT), without their own tangible assets (co-sharing), and without warehouses (dropshipping). The problems of digitalization, the digital economy, and entrepreneurship quickly covered the scientific community. A large number of specific areas were identified, within which certain aspects were considered. However, the issue of digital competencies was considered for a long time only in the context of the educational process and the need to revise educational programs.