CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY AS A DRIVER OF SOCIO-PRENEURSHIP: ENTREPRENEURIAL RESPONSES TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES
Singapore Singapore 
United States 
Indonesia 
Article Sidebar
-
Creative Technology, Digital Innovation, Social Capital
Abstract
The increasing complexity of global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and inequality has pushed marginalized communities to seek innovative solutions through entrepreneurship. Creative technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mobile applications offer novel opportunities for socio-preneurship, enabling entrepreneurs to develop solutions that promote social, environmental, and economic sustainability. This study explores how creative technologies serve as a catalyst for socio-preneurship by examining the experiences of entrepreneurs in underserved regions who have integrated these technologies into their business models. The research aims to understand how these technologies empower entrepreneurs to overcome systemic barriers and create scalable solutions to global challenges. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to gather insights from 20 entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, and agriculture. The findings suggest that creative technology enhances business performance, expands market access, and strengthens community ties. Moreover, social capital was identified as a crucial factor in amplifying the impact of technology adoption. The study concludes that creative technology is essential for inclusive socio-preneurship, offering a pathway to address global challenges while fostering local economic and social development. Policy recommendations include supporting technological infrastructure and social networks for marginalized entrepreneurs to ensure sustainable growth.
Full text article
References
Abbas, J., Dabi?, M., & Stoj?i?, N. (2026). Digital divide in industry 5.0: Role of generative AI knowledge bases and intellectual capital in organizational resilience performance under territorial proximity. Technovation, 149, 103357. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2025.103357
Ali, M., Bajaba, S., Fatima, N., Chiappetta Jabbour, C. J., Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, A. B., & Latan, H. (2026). Green innovation in a digital transformation context: implications of green social capital and green creativity. Journal of Environmental Management, 405, 129642. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129642
Anwar, A., Zafar, A. U., Papa, A., Pham, T. T. T., & Apostolidis, C. (2024). Exploring the ascendancy of social capital in entrepreneurial behavior: new insights from mix model perspective in digital healthcare. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 30(8), 2001–2026. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-04-2023-0350
Cabrilo, S., Dahms, S., & Tsai, F.-S. (2024). Synergy between multidimensional intellectual capital and digital knowledge management: Uncovering innovation performance complexities. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 9(4), 100568. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100568
Daskalopoulos, E. T., & Machek, O. (2024). Leveraging social capital for digital transformation: The role of ambidexterity and familial orientation. The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 35(2), 100512. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hitech.2024.100512
Erickson, K., Homberg, F., & Kretschmer, M. (2024). The role of openness in creative innovation: Evidence from digital crowdfunding. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 206, 123581. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123581
Games, D., Sari, D., Masli, E. K., Triani, L., & Komalasari, S. (2025). Are digital competencies enough for future entrepreneurs? Insights from human capital and social cognitive theory among STEM and non-STEM students. Asian Education and Development Studies, 15(2), 374–397. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-06-2025-0262
Gangadhara, H., & Kumar, J. P. S. (2024). “Integrated model perspective of capital theory, TPB and SCCT towards determining business students’’ digital entrepreneurial intention in developing country context”.” The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 35(2), 100519. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hitech.2024.100519
Gao, H. (2025). The impact of digital economy development on the performance of digital creative enterprises. Finance Research Letters, 84, 107761. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2025.107761
Gidage, M., & Bhide, S. (2025). Exploring the nexus between intellectual capital, green innovation, sustainability and financial performance in creative industry MSMEs. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 19(3), 457–484. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-07-2024-0134
Gu, W., & He, Y. (2025). The impact of digital transformation on corporate innovation: an analysis of mediating effects from the management perspective. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 32(1), 123–144. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-05-2025-0651
Han, H., Chen, J., & Yu, C. (2025). Engine in the digital wave: How venture capital accelerates the transformation journey of GEM enterprises. Finance Research Letters, 85, 107837. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2025.107837
Hasan, M. (2026). The power of entrepreneurial innovation capital in higher education: A diffusion of innovation approach to Generation Z entrepreneurship education. The International Journal of Management Education, 24(2), 101383. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2026.101383
Hong, Y., Chen, T., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Individual intellectual capital, creative process engagement and information security policy compliance. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 26(6), 1233–1256. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-04-2025-0141
Lewis, J. (2025). Rethinking innovation in creative clusters. City, Culture and Society, 43, 100669. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccs.2025.100669
Li, Q., Abdul Ghani Azmi, I. binti, & Norman, A. A. binti. (2025). Enhancing sustainable innovation through workplace well-being and digital capability: A systematic literature review toward responsible and cleaner consumption. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 18, 100305. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100305
Mattarelli, E., Schecter, A., Hinds, P., & Contractor, N. (2025). Secondhand social capital and idea quality in open innovation communities. Research Policy, 54(10), 105332. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2025.105332
Mehmood, K., Kautish, P., Basahel, S., Fiano, F., & Papa, A. (2026). Unseen seeds, green minds in the digital era: How SMEs foster innovation through green intellectual capital, AI, and resource commitment. Technology in Society, 84, 103108. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103108
Mohammadi, F., Zakery, A., Abdolhamid, M., Dincer, H., & Yuksel, S. (2025). Strategic entry mode selection for creative digital industries internationalization. Review of International Business and Strategy, 36(1), 129–154. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/RIBS-10-2024-0127
Mohammadi, N., Maghsoudi, M., & Abarghouezade, Z. (2026). Mapping entrepreneurial ecosystems through social media networks: A digital ecosystem approach. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 100197. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2026.100197
Ngo, Q. D., & Ngo, T. L. (2025). Knowledge ecosystem integration in digital transformation: a configurational analysis of anticipatory governance, creative behaviour and digital culture in cultural industries. Journal of Knowledge Management, 30(2), 824–845. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-04-2025-0464
Nie, S., Wang, X., Chen, Y., Liao, Q., & Li, Y. (2025). Does green finance catalyze green transformation in cultural and creative industries? International Review of Financial Analysis, 108, 104701. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104701
Osei, D. B. (2024). Digital infrastructure and innovation in Africa: Does human capital mediates the effect? Telematics and Informatics, 89, 102111. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2024.102111
Para-González, L., Arredondo-Méndez, V. H., & Mascaraque-Ramírez, C. (2025). Rethinking corporate social responsibility and human capital integrating digital transformation and Industry 4.0. Social Responsibility Journal, 22(2), 392–420. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-02-2025-0157
Rattanaburi, K., Ketwan, P., & Hernandez, A. C. (2026). Generation Z’s work-life balance, mental welfare, and career ambitions: The impact of digital workspaces, psychological resilience, and social media influence. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 13, 102791. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102791
Shatila, K., Aránega, A. Y., Soga, L. R., & Hernández-Lara, A. B. (2025). Digital literacy, digital accessibility, human capital, and entrepreneurial resilience: a case for dynamic business ecosystems. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(3), 100709. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100709
Shatila, K., Hernández-Lara, A. B., & Gburová, J. (2026). Digital literacy, entrepreneurial networking, and sustainable innovation: Economic and cultural determinants of entrepreneurial success in the Middle East. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship, 5(2), 100129. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stae.2026.100129
Sica, G., Palazzo, M., Micozzi, A., & Ferri, M. A. (2025). Leveraging on cultural and creative industries to foster social innovation: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(1), 100649. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100649
Stegmann, P., Ströbel, T., & O’Reilly, N. (2025). Shaping fan engagement behaviour through digital platform features: the role of social capital – an experimental study. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 27(6), 1–15. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-04-2025-0164
Suriyankietkaew, S., Krittayaruangroj, K., Thinthan, S., & Lumlongrut, S. (2025). Creative tourism as a driver for sustainable development: A model for advancing SDGs through community-based tourism and environmental stewardship. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 27, 100828. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2025.100828
Tian, R., Li, H., Jia, H., & Gu, R. (2025). The impact of digital infrastructure development on the green transformation of cities: Considering the moderating effect of human capital level. International Review of Economics & Finance, 104, 104695. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104695
Widiati, R., Costantini, A., Soetjipto, B. W., & Siscawati, M. (2025). Fostering digital innovation among female managers: the interplay of psychological capital, gender equality policies, and leader-member exchange. Gender in Management, 40(4), 598–619. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-03-2024-0115
Wu, J., Zhang, W., Zhang, S., Fang, B., & Yu, N. (2026). Predicting Key Factors Influencing Students’ Creative Thinking: A Machine Learning Analysis Based on PISA 2022 Data from East Asia. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 62, 102224. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2026.102224
Yan, L., Gooi, L.-M., Huang, W., & Wang, X. (2025). Ecotourism and economic sustainable development of local communities from the lens of technological innovation: the synergistic role of green industry and social capital. International Review of Economics & Finance, 104, 104720. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104720
Yang, F., Luo, C., & Pan, L. (2024). Do digitalization and intellectual capital drive sustainable open innovation of natural resources sector? Evidence from China. Resources Policy, 88, 104345. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104345
Yordanova, Z., & Shotarov, A. (2026). From resource scarcity to digital leverage: A framework for sustainable technology and circular-economy-oriented social entrepreneurship. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship, 5(1), 100127. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stae.2025.100127
Zhan, Y., Wang, T., & Bi, X. (2024). Creative production in the digital age: A network analysis of the digital game industry in China. Geoforum, 157, 104158. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2024.104158
Zhang, C., Sun, Y., Xu, D., & Liu, Q. (2026). Digital transformation and enterprise value creation: A study based on both human capital upgrading and pay gap optimization. International Review of Economics & Finance, 106, 104964. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2026.104964
Zhang, H., Zhang, W., & Yi, X. (2026). Patient capital and corporate digital transformation: Evidence from Chinese A-share listed firms. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 95, 102977. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2025.102977
Authors
Copyright (c) 2026 Lucas Wong, Sofia Lim, Sarah Brown, Alimuddin Alimuddin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
