A qualitative research on competencies and skills of digital entrepreneurship: Start-up school example

The advancement of technology has significantly increased the importance of digital entrepreneurship, making the enhancement of digital skills and competencies crucial. This study identifies the problem of insufficient development of digital competencies and the inadequacy of existing training programs, which limits entrepreneurs' competitiveness and leads to setbacks in productivity and innovation. Addressing these issues requires the development of digital skills and competencies, with educational programs playing a pivotal role.The aim of this research is to explore the requirements for start-up training in developing digital skills, assess the impact of such training on competencies, and highlight key elements for improving these educational programs. The study involved twenty-five participants from SODIMER and DOF ROBOTICS Start-Up School, who were interviewed with five specific questions. The qualitative data collected were analyzed using the phenomenological approach with MAXQDA software.The results reveal that start-up training most significantly affects areas such as providing new perspectives, learning about the dimensions of entrepreneurship, and raising awareness. The training notably enhances digital competencies in areas like digital content creation, digital literacy, and problem-solving, and improves digital skills in technology use, analytical thinking, and multidisciplinary work. Recommendations for enhancing start-up training include extending the duration and scope of project work, improving interaction, and encouraging active participation. This study is expected to contribute valuable insights to the literature on digital competencies and entrepreneurship education and offers a comprehensive perspective on these topics.