DIGITAL SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT EVENTS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

ABSTRACT

Event planners had to rapidly shift from face-to-face to online events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many utilized entrepreneurial ecosystems to share information and learn best practices. This study is among the first to examine how event entrepreneurs incorporated social ideas into their events due to increased interest in solving COVID-19-related social problems. The study draws on entrepreneurial ecosystem theory to suggest that the COVID-19 crisis led to more interest in social entrepreneurship. A qualitative research design that incorporated 16 interviews was utilized. By analyzing interview data collected from social event entrepreneurs this study finds that the COVID-19 crisis resulted in a need to collaborate and facilitated knowledge spillovers. This in turn led to positive interaction effects and social event innovation. The study contributes to a better understanding of the linkages between event management and social entrepreneurship. Managerial implications and interesting avenues for future research are also stated © 2023 Cognizant, LLC