Application of meta-synthesis and Delphi techniques in identifying the components and consequences of digital entrepreneurship

Due to development of digital entrepreneurship, lack of systematic study on its components, and existing theoretical gaps in this area, it is important to identify the components of digital entrepreneurship. Little research has been conducted on the components of digital entrepreneurship in Iran. Due to the novelty of digital entrepreneurship in Iran, the present study was conducted to identify the components and impacts of digital entrepreneurship. For this purpose, the present study is conducted in two phases. The first phase is performed to identify components of digital entrepreneurship using the meta-synthesis technique. In the second phase, the identified components of digital entrepreneurship are finalized according to 13 experts' opinions using the Delphi technique. The experts are composed of members of the Entrepreneurship Department of Aliabad-Katoul Azad University, entrepreneurs and managers of knowledge-based companies. They were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Finally, six components of digital business, digital skills, financial condition, innovation, risk and entrepreneurial culture, and impacts of digital entrepreneurship were identified using results of two phases and measuring the reliability of the components obtained by experts and using the Cohen's kappa coefficient. The results of present study showed that digital entrepreneurship led to full-time working and remote cooperation, increased speed and accuracy, reduced costs, value-creation, improved performance, increased market share, etc.