Purpose This paper examines a puzzling pattern in cross-cultural entrepreneurship: Why do some risk-averse societies produce thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems while others do not? We propose that societal trust is the critical contingency explaining this variation. The study challenges the field assumption that cultural risk avoidance uniformly suppresses entrepreneurship, arguing instead that trust can neutralize risk aversion's negative effects through its influence on entrepreneurial beliefs about self-efficacy, fear of failure, perceived opportunities and status of entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach We analyze pooled cross-sectional data from 57 countries spanning 2010–2015, integrating measures from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), Global Preferences Survey (GPS), Heritage Foundation and World Bank (224 country-year observations). Using structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation, we test direct effects of risk avoidance on entrepreneurial activity and indirect effects through four belief pathways: entrepreneurial self-efficacy, fear of failure, perceived opportunities and status of entrepreneurship. Moderated mediation analysis examines whether societal trust weakens these indirect effects. Robustness checks include alternative measures, lagged variables, different entrepreneurship types and reverse causality tests. Findings Risk avoidance significantly reduces entrepreneurial activity, with this relationship mediated by all four belief pathways. Perceived opportunities emerge as the strongest mediator, accounting for over three-quarters of the total effect. Crucially, societal trust moderates all four pathways, weakening risk aversion's negative indirect effects. The fear-of-failure pathway is particularly trust-sensitive, becoming statistically non-significant at high trust levels. These findings support the risk-trust paradox: equally risk-averse societies produce dramatically different entrepreneurial outcomes depending on trust levels, explaining why some risk-averse societies maintain thriving entrepreneurship while others struggle despite similar cultural orientations toward risk. Research limitations/implications The study relies on repeated cross-sectional panel data, limiting causal inference despite robustness checks with lagged variables. Our trust measure captures generalized interpersonal trust rather than institutional trust, and certain regions (Africa and the Middle East) remain underrepresented. Future research should examine how different forms of trust buffer against risk aversion and employ longitudinal designs to establish causality. For theory, our findings challenge the assumption that risk avoidance uniformly suppresses entrepreneurship, suggesting scholars should model cultural values as configurations rather than independent dimensions. The complete neutralization of the fear-of-failure pathway at high trust levels warrants further investigation into trust's relational mechanisms. Practical implications For policymakers in risk-averse, low-trust societies, trust-building initiatives may prove more effective than attempting to change deeply embedded risk orientations. Specific interventions include entrepreneur networks, mentorship programs, transparent regulations, supportive bankruptcy laws and second-chance programs that reduce failure stigma. For risk-averse, high-trust societies, efforts should focus on enhancing opportunity visibility through entrepreneurship education and publicizing entrepreneurial role models, given that perceived opportunities are the strongest mediator. Entrepreneurship educators in risk-averse contexts should emphasize failure-positive narratives, skill development that builds self-efficacy and exposure to diverse entrepreneurial paths that enhance opportunity recognition. Social implications The risk-trust paradox reveals that societies need not overcome cultural risk aversion to foster entrepreneurship; building trust offers an alternative path. This finding has equity implications: risk-averse societies are not inherently disadvantaged in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems if they invest in relational infrastructure. The complete neutralization of fear of failure at high levels of trust suggests that supportive communities can protect aspiring entrepreneurs from the social isolation and stigma that otherwise accompany entrepreneurial setbacks. Cultivating societal trust may thus democratize entrepreneurial opportunity by creating environments where individuals from risk-averse backgrounds can pursue ventures without facing compounded cultural and relational barriers. Originality/value This study introduces the risk-trust paradox, a previously unrecognized phenomenon whereby societal trust neutralizes risk aversion's negative effects on entrepreneurship. Unlike prior research treating cultural dimensions as independent predictors, we demonstrate that risk avoidance's effects are contingent on trust levels, challenging the field assumption that risk-averse cultures are inherently entrepreneurship-hostile. We specify the mechanisms through which trust buffers against risk aversion, revealing that fear of failure is uniquely trust-sensitive due to its relational nature. These findings reframe cross-cultural entrepreneurship research from classifying cultures as favorable or unfavorable toward examining how cultural configurations interact to shape entrepreneurial outcomes.

This study examines entrepreneurial intention among economics and business students within the context of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and global economic integration. Using survey data from 250 students and applying statistical techniques including reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and independent samples T-test, the study evaluates the structure and level of entrepreneurial intention. The findings reveal that students exhibit a relatively high level of entrepreneurial intention, with strong internal consistency and construct validity. Notably, no significant gender differences are observed, indicating a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment in the digital era. The results suggest that while digital technologies and AI have expanded entrepreneurial opportunities and lowered entry barriers, they also require new competencies and institutional support. The study highlights the critical role of governance and regulatory frameworks in facilitating entrepreneurial activities, particularly in emerging economies where structural constraints remain significant. By integrating educational, technological, and institutional perspectives, this research contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship in higher education. Practical implications emphasize the need for curriculum innovation, digital skill development, and policy support to foster sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Future research should incorporate additional behavioral and technological variables to better understand entrepreneurial intention in rapidly evolving economic environments.

This study examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes entrepreneurial opportunity recognition by transforming the cognitive processes by which entrepreneurs evaluate and interpret business opportunities. Rather than treating AI as purely informational aid, this study investigates how human heuristics and algorithmic biases jointly condition AI’s influence on entrepreneurial judgment and cognitive processing. This study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Survey data from 150 startup founders were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the direct, mediating, and moderating relationships among AI use, cognitive decision-making quality, heuristics, algorithmic bias, and opportunity recognition quality. Semi-structured interviews with 22 entrepreneurs were then analyzed using the Gioia methodology to uncover the cognitive mechanisms underlying these relationships. The results show that AI use enhances opportunity recognition, both directly and indirectly, by improving the quality of cognitive decision-making. However, this effect is contingent on cognitive forces at both human and algorithmic levels. Human heuristics weaken the cognitive benefits of AI, while algorithmic biases, such as automation bias and anchoring, introduce additional distortions in the evaluation. Qualitative evidence reveals that opportunity recognition increasingly emerges from hybrid cognitive systems in which intuition, analytical reasoning, and algorithmic cues interact, sometimes reinforce, and sometimes undermine judgment. This study advances entrepreneurial cognition theory by conceptualizing algorithmic bias as a distinct cognitive mechanism and demonstrating how AI creates hybrid cognitive systems that reconfigure opportunity recognition. The findings move beyond the binary views of intuition vs. analytics and offer a multilevel explanation of when and how AI improves or distorts entrepreneurial judgment.

Purpose This article examines critical events as components of serendipitous processes and the role of effectuation in shaping these processes and their unanticipated outcomes. Specifically, it introduces a conceptual model of effectuation-enabled serendipity and investigates why and how individuals capitalise on unexpected entrepreneurial opportunities and pursue unforeseen business ventures. Design/methodology/approach The data comprises three narrative accounts by immigrant entrepreneurs in Finland. Narrative research enables exploration of how individuals organise experiences to make sense of past events and their own actions. The study combines critical event analysis with a close examination of serendipitous processes and effectual thinking and action. Findings Critical events constitute a part of broader serendipitous processes, with effectuation providing a framework for decision-making and guiding navigation through each step towards unexpected outcomes. Without the interconnectedness among critical events, serendipity and effectuation, these unforeseen ventures would likely not have been initiated. Originality/value This study offers a pioneering empirical examination of the interplay between serendipity and effectuation in relation to critical events in new venture creation.

Background Youth labour markets across Sub-Saharan Africa combine high aspirations for secure wage work with entrenched informality and underemployment. Aim This article clarifies how structural constraints shape stated employment preferences and entrepreneurial orientation among youth in Rwanda and Sierra Leone. Design A constrained comparative secondary analysis drew on Afrobarometer Round 9 microdata for Sierra Leone and triangulated these findings with nationally reported labour-market and policy indicators for Rwanda. Public microdata for Rwanda were unavailable, so a bounded-evidence strategy transparently distinguishes verifiable survey statistics from document-based context. Findings Sierra Leonean youth express a cautious economic outlook—fewer than half expect improvement within a year—yet most endorse redistributive growth and demand stronger gender equity in job access. Preference for self-employment appears necessity-driven where institutional trust and public-goods provision remain moderate, rather than an indicator of opportunity entrepreneurship. Rwanda’s reported labour-absorption pressure and pervasive informality reinforce this reading, suggesting that education-fuelled aspiration gaps widen when formal job creation lags. Contribution The study advances an “institutionally conditioned planned-behaviour” framework that integrates the Theory of Planned Behaviour with opportunity-structure theory and human-capital expectations. Methodologically, it demonstrates how rigorous comparative inference can be maintained through explicit verification protocols when evidence access is asymmetric, and it outlines a reproducible pathway for symmetric modelling once Rwandan microdata become publicly available. Practical implications Policies that promote youth entrepreneurship without parallel investment in inclusive growth, reliable public goods, and transparent digital governance risk shifting systemic labour-market failure onto young people rather than resolving it.

India is facing major challenges with sewage and wastewater management. Around 62 billion liters are generated, of which only 37% go under treatment. In Haryana villages, this issue is critical, as on one side their people are facing water scarcity as 60% of farmlands depend on rainfall. This paper presents a Hari Pravah model i.e., a decentralized and cost-effective approach for wastewater treatment focusing on resource recovery and circular economy fundamentals. The Hari pravah, planned for Banchari a Haryana Village, based on a hybrid sewage treatment plant with primary, secondary and tertiary treatment reaching 100% waste utilization. This model generates three revenue streams i.e. treated water for irrigation, organic fertilizers and biogas for energy. This strategy helps in increasing crop yields by 15-20%, and reduces CO2 emissions by 2.7 tons per ton of biomethane. It also generates job and entrepreneurial opportunities for villagers, encouraging rural development and resource recovery. The Hari Pravah model provides an expandable and sustainable method for wastewater management in growing economies, highlighting the importance of decentralized and resource directed methods.

This study aims to propose and test a model that examines the impact of entrepreneurship education on college students' entrepreneurial intentions, and also explores the mediating role of psychological capital and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition in this process. To test our research model, this article is based on the theories of planned behavior and entrepreneurial process, using a combination of quantitative methods. A total of 412 university students participated in the questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using SPSS26.0 software. After verification，entrepreneurship education positive and significantly affect entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurship education positive and significantly affect entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, entrepreneurial opportunity recognition positive and significantly affect entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurship education positive and significantly affect psychological capital, psychological capital positive and significantly affect entrepreneurial intention. This study provides practical support for the development of new educational programs to support current or future entrepreneurial programs for college students.

Abstract Youth leadership has the power of turning innovative ideas into reality of life for the benefit of people, fueling idealism to change society, communities, schools, colleges, universities and organizations, applying skills development processes to solve problems, improving existing system, and ensuring progress in business, technology, and social justice. Youth leadership can shape the future activities for the development of the whole world by facing the local and global issues. Youth leadership has the capacity to face societal challenges driven by new energy, innovative ideas and diverse perspective. Application and implementation of innovative ideas in a very successful way are the process through which social, national and global development can be possible. The introduction and successful implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with the aim of turning India into a dynamic and energetic knowledge society and global knowledge power tower by improving school and higher education have given the Youth a chance to face the global issues by involving in sustainable practices, holistic thinking, humanitarian action, shaping community, and paying attention to global responsibilities. To empower youth leadership for the benefit of global progress, it is necessary to pay attention to the ideas of young people. Different types of skills like communication, confidence building, project management and critical thinking of young people must be developed. They must address local issues, advocate for well-being and rights, and solve social problem. For innovation and global responsibility, empowerment of youth leadership is very necessary on account of youth’s fresh energy, digital fluency, adaptable perspectives, providing sustainable development, driving economic growth, and solving complex challenges. Young people can enjoy the chance of training themselves to access courses from organizations, participate in SDG based local and global youth networks, improve innovative problem solutions for sustainable development, and champion the Goals by using digital platforms and their voice. The empowerment of youth plays a very significant part for the benefit of creativity and innovation. Young people empowered with quality education, entrepreneurial opportunities, and vocational training can enrich sustainability and economic growth by becoming active contributors to the economy for making a more progressive society. The need for youth empowerment lies in its capacity to develop self-assured, skillful, and self-dependent individuals who have the power of offering appropriate contribution to society.

The study investigated the effect of cooperative participation on the livelihoods of women entrepreneurs in Yewa Division, Ogun State. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire administered to 100 women entrepreneurs who were cooperative members using multistage sampling technique. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that the majority (68%) of the co-operators were married, with an average age of 41 years. Findings further showed that 80% of participants reported increased income since they joined the cooperatives. Education, marital status, and access to alternative loans significantly determined the participation of women in cooperatives. Regression analysis confirmed that cooperative membership enhanced entrepreneurial opportunities, improved social status, and raised household income. However, women entrepreneurs who participate in cooperatives derived benefits from cooperatives range from services accessed by members including loans, training, market linkages, equipment, and net working highlighting the broad value cooperatives offer to women entrepreneurs. The policy implication is that targeted interventions such as flexible meeting schedules, adult literacy programs, and gender-sensitive cooperative policies are necessary to promote inclusive participation. Furthermore, improving access to non-financial services such as training and market linkages is recommended to maximize the impact of cooperatives on women livelihoods and economic empowerment.

Abstract Research Summary This paper examines the creation of entrepreneurial opportunities under coupled technical and demand uncertainty within science‐based ventures (SBVs). Whereas opportunity creation theory emphasizes discursive processes, we build on practice theory and pragmatism to explore how SBV opportunities also emerge through entrepreneurs' evolving engagements with indeterminate material artifacts. Through a longitudinal multiple‐case study, we identify two patterns of material engagement: epistemic engagement, oriented toward knowledge creation, and pragmatic engagement, oriented toward practical use. We show how opportunity creation unfolds through interweaving cycles of epistemic and pragmatic engagement. By introducing material engagements as constitutive, we specify creation theory for SBVs and highlight the central role of materiality in shaping belief formation, opportunity objectification, stakeholder engagement, and the variation–selection–retention process. Managerial Summary This paper explores how entrepreneurs create science‐based ventures (SBVs) by engaging with evolving material artifacts, like sensors and prototypes. Based on a study of SBV initiatives supported by the European Commission's ATTRACT program, we identify a process in which entrepreneurs repeatedly alternate between epistemic engagement—focused on scientific understanding—and pragmatic engagement—focused on usability and implementation. This material engagement cycle plays a central role in venture development under coupled technical and demand uncertainty. We highlight tensions inherent in this process and the strategies through which they are accommodated, offering practical insights for entrepreneurs building ventures from frontier science and policymakers supporting science commercialization.

This study examined the relationship between economic development sustainability and market opportunity utilization in agritourism across selected municipalities in Laguna, namely Calauan, Liliw, Nagcarlan, and Pila. Anchored in Romer’s Endogenous Growth Theory and the Theory of Entrepreneurial Opportunity Identification and Development, the study explored how internal growth drivers, such as human capital development, innovation and technology adoption, and knowledge spillovers, influence entrepreneurial alertness, social networks, and opportunity belief formation among agritourism enterprises. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was employed, with data collected from 96 agritourism owners and managers selected through random sampling from a population of 280. Data were gathered using a validated four-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient. Findings indicate that economic development sustainability was fully sustained, particularly in innovation and technology adoption with a mean of 3.49 and a standard deviation of 0.753, and in human capital development with a mean of 3.39 and a standard deviation of 0.811, while knowledge spillovers also demonstrated a fully sustained level with a mean of 3.32 and a standard deviation of 0.688. Market opportunity utilization was fully utilized, with entrepreneurial alertness showed a mean of 3.40 and a standard deviation of 0.707, social networks with a mean of 3.41 and a standard deviation of 0.777, and opportunity belief formation with a mean of 3.51 and a standard deviation of 0.605. Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between economic development sustainability and market opportunity utilization. The findings underscore the role of sustained investments in human capital, innovation, and collaborative practices in enhancing entrepreneurial capability and market responsiveness.

This study theorizes and empirically validates two international opportunity recognition modes: creation and discovery. It examines how internationalizing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leverage international dynamic capabilities to engage in these modes and analyzes their impact on international performance. It finds that the propensity of an internationalizing SME to adopt a specific mode—whether creation or discovery—is influenced by specific organizational-level international dynamic capabilities (intelligence acquisition, inter-country coordination, reconfiguration). The strength of these relationships is moderated by industry globalization and cultural distance. Furthermore, the interaction between the two opportunity recognition modes reveals a significant negative effect. This interaction suggests that when internationalizing SMEs simultaneously engage in both modes, the effectiveness of each is diminished, leading to lower international performance outcomes. We use multi-informant, cross-industry data collected from 303 internationalizing SMEs in China and Tunisia and empirically test our model using structural equation modeling. This research contributes to the literature on international business and entrepreneurship by offering a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between international dynamic capabilities, international opportunity recognition, and international performance, emphasizing the strategic trade-offs involved in SME internationalization.

Rural entrepreneurship in Bastar District, Chhattisgarh—a predominantly tribal, forest-rich, and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected region—holds significant potential for socio-economic transformation. This paper presents a socio-economic analysis based on secondary data, examining challenges such as poor infrastructure, low literacy, limited market access, and historical insurgency, alongside opportunities in non-timber forest produce (NTFP) value addition, handicrafts, eco-tourism, and government schemes. Drawing from Census 2011 data, MSME profiles, OPHI multidimensional poverty indices, and case studies (e.g., Bastar Se Bazar Tak), the analysis interprets key metrics: ~60.8% multidimensional poverty (2015/16), 53.15% literacy, and NTFP-derived household income of ~₹20,258 annually (2017 study). Findings reveal that targeted interventions in NTFP processing and SHG-led enterprises could boost incomes by 30–50% while promoting sustainable livelihoods. Policy recommendations emphasize skill development, digital market linkages, and inclusive incentives for tribal entrepreneurs.

Introduction This study investigates the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and entrepreneurial practices in hunting and gathering communities on the Wild Coast, South Africa. Indigenous groups face mounting pressure to preserve cultural traditions while engaging in modern economic systems. Examining how IKS aligns with entrepreneurial strategies is critical for advancing sustainable and inclusive livelihoods.Materials and Methods A qualitative design was employed, using five focus group discussions with six participants each (n = 30). Participants were purposively sampled to reflect diversity in gender, age and livelihood experience. Discussions explored cultural practices, economic activities and visions for the future. Data were transcribed, coded and analysed thematically to identify key patterns.Results Six interrelated themes emerged: connection to nature—survival strategies remain anchored in ecological stewardship. cultural practices and traditions—hunting, gathering and rituals reinforce community identity. Economic challenges and opportunities—participants cited limited resources and market access but identified eco-tourism and niche value chains as promising. knowledge sharing and education—oral traditions and intergenerational transfer of knowledge ensure cultural continuity. Resilience and adaptability—communities creatively adapt traditional practices to modern contexts. future aspirations and visions—participants seek to blend cultural heritage with entrepreneurial opportunities for long-term sustainability.Conclusion The findings underscore the enduring value of IKS in shaping entrepreneurial practices that are both sustainable and culturally grounded. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern development opportunities, particularly eco-tourism and community-based enterprises offers viable pathways for economic empowerment. Supportive policies are needed to facilitate equitable market access and preserve cultural heritage. Strengthening collaboration between indigenous communities, policymakers and external stakeholders is essential for creating resilient local economies that respect cultural identity and environmental values.

ABSTRACT This research analysed the mediating role of organisational creativity in the relationship between the three dimensions of social capital and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition, by drawing on resource‐based view and, in particular, on social capital theory. The study was conducted within the Spanish hotel sector, focusing specifically on Spanish hotel chains. The results confirmed that organisational creativity mediates the positive influence of structural, relational, and cognitive social capital on entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. This paper contributes to the field of corporate entrepreneurship empirically developing and testing more sophisticated relationships between social capital and opportunities recognition which are explained by creativity. This is a significant contribution because most studies about corporate entrepreneurship focus on examining only the direct relationship. We advance in the literature by examining creativity in firms as well. Research on this topic has focused mainly on the individual's perspective, whereas analysis at the organisational level is more recent. In addition, we contribute by analysing all dimensions of social capital. This is an important step given the paucity of research on social capital's relational and cognitive dimensions.

India’s transition toward a green economy represents one of the most significant structural transformations in its post-liberalization development trajectory. As climate change, environmental degradation, and resource scarcity intensify, sustainable business models and green entrepreneurship have emerged as critical drivers of inclusive and low-carbon growth. This paper investigates the entrepreneurial opportunities, structural challenges, and policy mechanisms shaping India’s green economy. Using secondary data from World Bank, International Energy Agency (IEA), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), NITI Aayog, and Start-up India databases (2010–2024), the study integrates descriptive trend analysis, correlation assessment, and sectoral growth comparisons to evaluate the evolution of green enterprises across renewable energy, circular economy, electric mobility, sustainable agriculture, and green finance sectors. Findings indicate strong positive associations between renewable energy investments and green start-up formation, significant employment multipliers in clean energy sectors, and policy-driven acceleration post-2015 following India’s Paris Agreement commitments. However, structural bottlenecks—including financing constraints, regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure gaps, and technological dependency—continue to hinder scalable growth. The study proposes a multi-level policy framework integrating green finance instruments, innovation ecosystems, digital infrastructure, and ESG-aligned corporate governance to accelerate India’s sustainable transition. The paper contributes to literature by offering an integrated empirical assessment of India’s green entrepreneurship ecosystem within a macroeconomic sustainability framework.

Women’s economic empowerment is central to achieving inclusive growth and reducing gender disparities in India. In recent decades, women have made notable progress in education, employment, and entrepreneurship; however, their economic participation remains constrained by wage inequality, limited access to resources, and persistent socio-cultural barriers. This study examines the key dimensions of women’s economic empowerment, including financial inclusion, skill development, entrepreneurial opportunities, and access to decision-making platforms. It also evaluates the role of government programs such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Skill India Mission, and Digital India, which have created avenues for enhancing women’s economic roles, particularly in rural areas. Despite these advancements, challenges such as low labor force participation rates, occupational segregation, and limited household bargaining power continue to hinder full empowerment. The paper argues that sustainable economic empowerment requires not only policy support but also a transformation of institutional structures and cultural norms. Enhancing women’s economic agency is essential for equity, poverty reduction, and long-term national development. All the data source has taken from secondary sources and various government report and women empowerment related books and research articles. In this paper divide has two sections first -Global scenario of economic empowerment of women and Second Indian scenario of economic empowerment of women and with three objectives.

Farmers’ non-agricultural business activity constitutes an important context for the sustainable and multifunctional development of rural areas and agriculture. However, this area remains insufficiently explored in the literature. From this perspective, the aim of the study was to empirically identify the motives for undertaking non-agricultural business activity by farmers, with particular emphasis on the distinction between opportunity entrepreneurship and necessity entrepreneurship. The study tested the hypothesis that necessity-related motives dominate decisions to undertake non-agricultural activity under conditions of structural agrarian fragmentation. The analysis was based on the results of a questionnaire survey conducted in 2025, in cooperation with the Podkarpackie Agricultural Advisory Centre in Boguchwała, on a sample of 210 farms from the Podkarpackie Voivodeship engaged in non-agricultural business activity. The results indicate the multidimensional nature of the motives underlying farmers’ entrepreneurship, with a slight predominance of necessity-driven motives. The findings also highlight the importance of structural conditions in initiating non-agricultural activity, which may provide a reference point for policies supporting the development of rural entrepreneurship.

This article aims to examine whether and how women informal tourism entrepreneurs in poor rural destinations in Iran adopt different strategies to access financial and non-financial resources. Drawing on constructivist grounded theory and in-depth interviews, two groups of participants were identified with contrasting social orientations toward social capital and gendered constraints. These orientations shape their positioning along the necessity–opportunity entrepreneurship continuum. Through abductive analysis, the study integrates a social capital perspective with an entrepreneurship typology to develop a theoretical model explaining transitions between informal–formal and necessity–opportunity modes. The findings contribute to a dualistic understanding of social capital, highlighting how internal mindsets are shaped by and respond to traditional gender norms in influencing entrepreneurial behavior.

The introduction of cognitive technologies into business processes sets new requirements for market opportunity analytics, and digital analytics makes it possible to accurately measure its impact on business models and innovative solutions. The aim of the study is to quantify the role of cognitive tools in the dynamics of entrepreneurial opportunities, identify factors that change this correlation, and build a panel model. The methodological foundation of the study was panel econometric modelling, which enabled taking into account international differences observed over time and the dynamics of indicators in the domestic sphere. The model was with lags of the dependent variable, which had a dynamic nature to take into account inertia in the development of entrepreneurial opportunities, and the stability of the impact of cognitive tools was also tested. The risk of endogeneity was avoided by using an instrumental approach to obtain causal estimates of the impact of technological diffusion on market opportunities. The dependent variable is the Market Opportunity Index, which is a combination of indicators of innovation activity, the share of firms with new products, and the share of opportunity-oriented entrepreneurs. The empirical study for 2020-2024 showed that the higher the Cognitive Tools Index by one standard unit, the higher the Market Opportunity Index by an average of 0.33. The Cognitive Tools Index and the Market Opportunity Index were -0.42 and -0.35 in 2020 and 0.94 and 0.92 in 2024, respectively. The results confirm the positive impact of cognitive technologies on the development of entrepreneurial opportunities and innovative activity. The results indicate the need to build digital infrastructure, human capital, and support open data.