Entrepreneurial Digital Competencies and Mindsets Among University Students in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i3.9351Keywords:
pandemi COVID-19, digital mindset, digital competencies, digital entrepreneurship, university student, entrepreneurial competenciesAbstract
Digital transformation has reshaped entrepreneurship education and increased the need for university students to develop entrepreneurial digital competencies and adaptive digital mindsets. However, existing studies have largely examined these dimensions separately, leaving limited synthesis of how they interact within higher education in the post-COVID-19 context. This study employed a systematic literature review following the PRISMA framework. Relevant studies published between 2022 and 2025 were identified using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following identification, screening, and eligibility assessment, 32 studies were included and analyzed thematically to examine entrepreneurship education, digital entrepreneurial competencies, entrepreneurial characteristics, and digital mindsets among university students. The review indicates that entrepreneurship education, particularly practice-oriented and technology-integrated learning, is positively associated with students’ digital entrepreneurial intentions. Key digital entrepreneurial competencies include digital literacy, social media marketing, data analytics, cybersecurity awareness, and the ability to leverage emerging technologies and innovate business models. These competencies are complemented by creativity, innovativeness, proactiveness, resilience, risk-taking, and self-management. The findings further highlight digital rights and responsibilities as an emerging competency involving privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and ethical technology use. An entrepreneurial digital mindset is characterized by adaptability, innovation orientation, digital proficiency, tolerance of uncertainty, and ethical awareness. The findings suggest that higher education should integrate digital competencies, entrepreneurial mindsets, experiential learning, and responsible digital practices within entrepreneurship curricula. This review provides an integrated basis for designing entrepreneurship education that better prepares university students for technology-driven entrepreneurial environments.
References
Abina, A., Kovačič, D., Prucnal, M., Kiratzouli, V., & Zidanšek, A. (2025). Building Sustainable Career Skills in Youth Through Adaptive Learning and Competency Self-Assessment Tools. Sustainability, 17(2), 412. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020412
Abiodun, A. O. (2025). Digital Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Polytechnic Students in Osun State, Nigeria. The ATUPA Journal, 1(01). https://journal.atupa-sec.org/index.php/vol1/article/view/12
Abou Hashish, E. A., Alnajjar, H., & Rawas, H. (2025). Voices on academic accreditation: Lived experiences of nurse educators, administrators, students, and alumni in nursing education. BMC Medical Education, 25(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06657-2
Adam, S., Mohd Fuzi, N., Ramdan, M. R., & Ismail, A. F. M. F. (2025). The Effectiveness of Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Toward Enriching Income Generation: The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Intention. Sage Open, 15(1), 21582440241305361. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241305361
Araoye, A., Adeleke, A. F., Megbuwawon, A., & Ayoola, Y. O. (2024). Digital Entrepreneurial Skills: A tool to equip and promote self-reliance among students in Colleges of Education, Oyo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, Technology and Innovation (IJETI) Is, 1. https://ijeti.uniben.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/INTERNATIONAL-JOURNAL-OF-ENTREPRENEURSHIP-IJETI-VOL.1-NO.1-JUNE-2024_060227-255-274-1.pdf
Awdziej, M., Jaciow, M., Lipowski, M., Tkaczyk, J., & Wolny, R. (2023). Students Digital Maturity and Its Implications for Sustainable Behavior. Sustainability, 15(9), 7269. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097269
Bachmann, N., Rose, R., Maul, V., & Hölzle, K. (2024). What makes for future entrepreneurs? The role of digital competencies for entrepreneurial intention. Journal of Business Research, 174, 114481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114481
Biclesanu, I., Savastano, M., Chinie, C., & Anagnoste, S. (2023). The role of business students’ entrepreneurial intention and technology preparedness in the digital age. Administrative Sciences, 13(8), 177.
Çela, A., Mansi, E., & Morina, F. (2025). Young adults’ pathway to digital entrepreneurship: From ideas to innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 28(7), 2909–2939. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-04-2024-0486
Chen, L., & Ifenthaler, D. (2023). Investigating digital entrepreneurship competence in an online practical training program. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(3), 100894.
D’Angelo, S., Cavallo, A., Ghezzi, A., & Di Lorenzo, F. (2024). Understanding corporate entrepreneurship in the digital age: A review and research agenda. Review of Managerial Science, 18(12), 3719–3774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00730-8
Darmanto, S., Ekopriyono, A., & Darmawan, D. (2022). Developing student’s nascent digital entrepreneurial model. Global Business & Finance Review (GBFR), 27(6), 52–68.
Gallego-Arrufat, M.-J., Torres-Hernández, N., García-Martínez, I., & Domene-Martos, S. (2023). An Educational Framework in Digital Rights and Responsibilities for Young Entrepreneurs. SAGE Open, 13(4), 21582440231208614. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231208614
Ganefri, G., Kamdi, W., Makky, M., Hidayat, H., & Rahmawati, Y. (2024). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention among university students: The roles of entrepreneurial mindset, digital literacy, and self-efficacy. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 15(4), 85–134.
Garcez, A., Silva, R., & Franco, M. (2022). Digital transformation shaping structural pillars for academic entrepreneurship: A framework proposal and research agenda. Education and Information Technologies, 27(1), 1159–1182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10638-5
González-López, M. J., Pérez-López, M. C., & Rodríguez-Ariza, L. (2021). From potential to early nascent entrepreneurship: The role of entrepreneurial competencies. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 17(3), 1387–1417. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-020-00658-x
Güven, B., Belber, B. G., & Dinç, L. (2024). The Relationship and Interactions Among Digital Literacy, Innovativeness and Entrepreneurial Inclinations: A Study on University Students. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 13(2), 122–146.
Herold, D. M. (2022). Digital Entrepreneurship: Curriculum. Vienna-Cracow: Cracow University of Economics. https://www.academia.edu/download/107013511/Curriculum_v1_web.pdf
Hsieh, H.-M., & Maritz, A. (2023). A Study of the Impact of the Application of Digital Technology-Integrated Entrepreneurship Education on Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Performance. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18(20), 126–136. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i20.43907
Isac, C., Iordache, A. M. M., Baltador, L., Coculescu, C., & Niță, D. (2023). Enhancing Students’ Entrepreneurial Competencies through Extracurricular Activities—A Pragmatic Approach to Sustainability-Oriented Higher Education. Sustainability, 15(11), 8708. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118708
Jardim, J. (2021). Entrepreneurial skills to be successful in the global and digital world: Proposal for a frame of reference for entrepreneurial education. Education Sciences, 11(7), 356.
Jintana, S., Boonlab, S., & Supromin, C. (2025). Enhancing digital-era entrepreneurial intentions: A strategic model for university students. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1), 2494293. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2494293
Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering.
Kraus, S., Roig-Tierno, N., & Bouncken, R. B. (2019). Digital innovation and venturing: An introduction into the digitalization of entrepreneurship. Springer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11846-019-00333-8
Krieger, A., Stuetzer, M., Obschonka, M., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2022). The growth of entrepreneurial human capital: Origins and development of skill variety. Small Business Economics, 59(2), 645–664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00555-9
Laptev, G., & Shaytan, D. (2022). Co-design-based learning for entrepreneurs in the digital age. Measuring Business Excellence, 26(1), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-11-2020-0158
Lediana, E., Perdana, T., Deliana, Y., & Sendjaja, T. P. (2023). Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intention of Youth for Agriculture Start-Up: An Integrated Model. Sustainability, 15(3), 2326. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032326
Lesinskis, K., Mavlutova, I., Spilbergs, A., & Hermanis, J. (2023). Digital transformation in entrepreneurship education: The use of a digital tool KABADA and entrepreneurial intention of generation Z. Sustainability, 15(13), 10135.
Li, F., & Sukpasjaroen, K. (2024). The impact of the digital capability of college students’ new enterprises on business model innovation driven by the digital economy: The mediating effect of digital opportunity discovery. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(4), 152.
Li, Q., Zhang, Z., & Xiao, S. (2025). A psychological perspective on entrepreneurship and innovation in universities: The role of educators and tutors in enhancing motivation, interest, and academic success. Acta Psychologica, 255, 104870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104870
Li, S., Bu, Y., Zhang, Z., & Huang, Y. (2024). Digital entrepreneurship intention and digital entrepreneurship behavior: The mediating role of managing learning and entrepreneurship education. Education + Training, 66(2/3), 195–212. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-05-2023-0176
Liang, Y., Chen, R., Hong, H., Li, S., & Han, L. (2025). Shaping digital entrepreneurial intention in higher education: The role of entrepreneurship education, creativity, and digital literacy among Chinese university students. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(5), 100788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100788
Łobejko, S., & Bartczak, K. (2021). The Role of Digital Technology Platforms in the Context of Changes in Consumption and Production Patterns. Sustainability, 13(15), 8294. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158294
Maghsoudi, M., Mohammadi, N., & Azarnioush, M. (2025). Entrepreneurial technology networks: A systematic patent analysis using multi-method social network framework. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(4), 100679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100679
Mahmudah, F. N., Baswedan, A. R., & Cahyono, S. M. (2023). Digital entrepreneurship competence of vocational students. Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi Dan Kejuruan, 29(2), 125–140.
Mirhabibi, A., Shayan, A., & Sahraei, S. (2025). Improving digital entrepreneurship readiness of business students: The moderating roles of digital mindset and digital education. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 101151.
Mishra, V., & Singh Kaurav, R. P. (2024). Leveraging disruptive technologies and strategies for competitive advantage.
Mohd Noor, N. H., Mohamad Fuzi, A., & El Ashfahany, A. (2023). Institutional support and self-efficacy as catalysts for new venture performance: A study of iGen entrepreneurs. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, 12(3/4), 173–196.
Nambisan, S. (2017). Digital Entrepreneurship: Toward a Digital Technology Perspective of Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 41(6), 1029–1055. https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12254
Odugbesan, J. A., Tafamel, A. E., & Akrawah, D. O. (2026). AI and the entrepreneurial mindset: Mapping cognitive adaptability in the age of technological disruption. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 18(1), 212–236.
Patru, L., Birchi, F.-A., & Patru, C. L. (2023). The Relationship between Digital Technology and the Development of the Entrepreneurial Competencies of Young People in the Medical Field. Electronics, 12(8), 1796.
Pham, M., Nguyen, A. T. T., Tran, D. T., Mai, T. T., & Nguyen, V. T. (2023). The impact of entrepreneurship knowledge on students’ e-entrepreneurial intention formation and the moderating role of technological innovativeness. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 80. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00351-7
RezaeiZadeh, M., Hogan, M., O’Reilly, J., Cunningham, J., & Murphy, E. (2017). Core entrepreneurial competencies and their interdependencies: Insights from a study of Irish and Iranian entrepreneurs, university students and academics. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 13(1), 35–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-016-0390-y
Sansone, G., Ghezzi, A., Landoni, P., & Rangone, A. (2024). Students’ Entrepreneurial Engagement and Student Entrepreneurship: Do Coding and Digital Skills Matter? IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 71, 5733–5743. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2024.3367893
Satar, M. S., Alharthi, S., Omeish, F., Alshibani, S. M., & Saqib, N. (2024). Digital learning orientation and entrepreneurial competencies in graduates: Is blended learning sustainable? Sustainability, 16(17), 7794.
Shah, N., Bano, S., Saraih, U. N., Abdelwahed, N. A. A., & Soomro, B. A. (2023). Leading towards the students’ career development and career intentions through using multidimensional soft skills in the digital age. Education+ Training, 65(6/7), 848–870.
Singh, R., & Dwivedi, A. (2022). Digital Entrepreneurship Competency And Digital Entrepreneurial Intention: Role Of Entrepreneurial Motivation. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 2310–2322.
Sunaryo, A., Sumardjoko, B., Harsono, H., Fauziati, E., Sulistyanto, H., & Naryananda, H. P. B. (2025). Digital marketing-based entrepreneurship learning: Impact on self-confidence and entrepreneurial intentions of physical education students. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias En Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, (67), 1088–1101.
Volkmann, C. K., & Grünhagen, M. (2022). The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Digital Entrepreneurship Education: Reflections on a Rapid Transformation of an Educational Ecosystem. In D. B. Audretsch & I. A. M. Kunadt (Eds.), The COVID-19 Crisis and Entrepreneurship: Perspectives and Experiences of Researchers, Thought Leaders, and Policymakers (pp. 253–273). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04655-1_18
Wibowo, A., Narmaditya, B. S., Saptono, A., Effendi, M. S., Mukhtar, S., & Mohd Shafiai, M. H. (2023). Does Digital Entrepreneurship Education Matter for Students’ Digital Entrepreneurial Intentions? The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Alertness. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2221164. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2221164
Wu, T., & Tien, K.-Y. (2024). An Empirical Study on the Effectiveness of E-commerce Entrepreneurial Learning: The Mediating Effect of Social Media Flow Experience. SAGE Open, 14(2), 21582440241261131.
Xia, L., Baghaie, S., & Mohammad Sajadi, S. (2024). The digital economy: Challenges and opportunities in the new era of technology and electronic communications. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 15(2), 102411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2023.102411
Xiang, X., Wang, J., Long, Z., & Huang, Y. (2022). Improving the entrepreneurial competence of college social entrepreneurs: Digital government building, entrepreneurship education, and entrepreneurial cognition. Sustainability, 15(1), 69.
Yáñez-Valdés, C., & Guerrero, M. (2024). Determinants and impacts of digital entrepreneurship: A pre- and post-COVID-19 perspective. Technovation, 132, 102983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2024.102983
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Andi Saputra
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
