Digital Opportunities in MSMEs Throughout Economic Disruptions: Entrepreneurs' Experiences and Challenges

ABSTRACT

The global trend in cases has had a significant impact on the social parts of society, which has had no impact on the global economy, which has been severely impacted by the unexpected public health risk, which has caused businesses to close down digital commercial companies. The pandemic's great challenges have turned into great opportunities for entrepreneurs from all over the world. Obeying the recovery, they see digital tools as solutions to help them survive and even thrive in the long run. This study investigates the drivers and barriers of digital innovation in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia, particularly in Yogyakarta Province. Conducting in-depth interviews with 50 MSMEs in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and comparing them to Inductive Content Analysis to generate themes. The study's findings revealed that the adverse consequences of the pandemic, which boosted entrepreneurial innovation by shifting business to digital platforms, were classified as internal and external motivation. Participants discussed the barriers to digital entrepreneurship, such as the skills required to conduct business online, market issues in digital platforms, the availability of high-quality internet infrastructure, and pandemic restrictions. The findings of this study pertain to the entrepreneurship literature and provide a focus for empirical research in order to develop programs that assist entrepreneurs during economic disruptions. This will serve as a guide in the development of government policies and strategies for economic recovery through digital entrepreneurship while keeping small entrepreneurs in mind. It also recommends future related research to empower entrepreneurs, particularly those in emerging economies, during and after the pandemic. Copyright 2022. © by the International Institute of Informatics and Systemics. All rights reserved.