An Exploratory Study on the Need for Digital Literacy in Small Business Entrepreneurs: The Case of Entrepreneurial Students in Thailand

Abstract

Small business entrepreneurs can easily start their business, although they often lack the necessary knowledge, resulting in business failure. Digital technology has become an economic force and a powerful tool in influencing the growth of new business models, enhancing business opportunities. As a consequence of the existing problems and current phenomenon, entrepreneurial students as small business entrepreneurs require appropriate and specific digital literacy. There are many existing research studies on small business entrepreneurs and digital entrepreneurship, but these are not appropriate in the context of entrepreneurial students. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are 1) to describe the current usage of digital platforms, 2) to identify the expectation in using the digital platforms, and 3) to study the need for digital literacy in entrepreneurial students. This study uses the qualitative approach by conducting an in-depth interview with twelve entrepreneurial students well-diversified by demographics in terms of age, business experiences, and type of business. The researchers have chosen content analysis to analyse the interview transcripts. The results from the exploratory study indicate some interesting findings as evidenced by the current using digital platforms in entrepreneurial students. The result also shows that entrepreneurial students need digital literacy in creating digital platforms