Innovating in a Digital Economy: Challenges for Global Strategy and Entrepreneurship Research

Abstract

The rise of digital economy is reshaping the traditional conceptualization of international business and entrepreneurship. Instead of being constrained by lack of physical assets or cross-national differences, “born-globals” in cyberspace cost-efficiently innovate digital products and instantly distribute them to users around the world via online channels. The revenue models are also in flux, as businesses are relying on freemium and sponsor based business models instead of charging users. Such unique aspects of digital economy require substantial reevaluation of current theoretical frameworks, such as Uppsala Model, OLI paradigm and liability of foreignness. The challenges of a digital world also present important venues for scholarly enquiry as digital businesses face barriers of user adoption, liabilities of outsidership, retaliation by traditional businesses, increasing regulations by governments and stiff competition from around the world. Our panel aims at catalyzing the discussion on the intersecti...