Bridging Digital Awareness and Entrepreneurial Readiness: ICT-Enabled Entrepreneurship Among Omani Undergraduates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v6n2a2366Keywords:
Digital entrepreneurship, Information and communication technology (ICT), Entrepreneurial awareness, Motivational orientation, Higher education.Abstract
Digital entrepreneurship (DE) has emerged as a key driver of innovation, economic diversification, and employment generation in the digital economy, with information and communication technology (ICT) serving as a critical enabler of entrepreneurial activity. This study examines Omani undergraduate students’ awareness of ICT-enabled digital entrepreneurship, their motivational orientation toward engaging in digital entrepreneurial activities, and the perceived challenges that hinder practical entrepreneurial participation. Using a quantitative diagnostic approach, data were collected from 380 students across four universities in Oman through a structured 30-item questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics to assess relationships among awareness, motivation, and perceived barriers. The findings reveal that students demonstrate relatively high conceptual awareness of ICT’s role in entrepreneurship and moderate-to-high motivational orientation toward digital entrepreneurial engagement. However, students report lower confidence in practical entrepreneurial competencies, particularly regarding risk-taking and implementation-related skills. Gender differences significantly influence both awareness and motivation, with female students demonstrating higher motivational orientation than male students, while both groups experience similar structural and practical barriers to ICT-enabled entrepreneurship. The study identifies a substantial gap between conceptual understanding and practical entrepreneurial readiness among undergraduate students. These findings contribute to the growing literature on digital entrepreneurship in higher education by highlighting the need for stronger integration of experiential learning, industry collaboration, mentorship, and practice-oriented entrepreneurial training within university curricula. The study also provides practical implications for policymakers and educational institutions seeking to strengthen digital entrepreneurial capacity in support of Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s broader goals of economic diversification and digital transformation.
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