CAN ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS? THE MEDIATING ROLE OF DIGITAL LITERACY

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in economic growth, especially in developing countries. Yet, many SMEs face challenges early on, resulting in high failure rates. Despite thorough studies on factors affecting SME success, the influence of entrepreneurial education is still unclear. This thesis explores how entrepreneurial education affects success by looking at the roles of digital literacy. It aims to discover how digital literacy, developed through education, improves entrepreneurial success and suggests ways to enhance entrepreneurial education to better support small and medium-sized enterprises. Based on theories like the theory of Human Capital, Human Value, and Autonomous Learning, this study examines how entrepreneurial education affects success through digital literacy, addressing critical gaps in understanding educational mechanisms that enhance entrepreneurial outcomes. A survey was conducted among 410 entrepreneurs in Shandong, China, to assess their views on how entrepreneurial education has influenced their success. Data was gathered from university graduates who participated in such programs. Mediation analysis was used to see if digital literacy connected entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial success. The finding shows that entrepreneurial education boosts entrepreneurial success, with digital literacy playing a partial mediating role. Digital literacy partially mediates this effect, meaning that people with strong digital skills—whether learned through education or self-directed learning—are more likely to succeed. This study significantly contributes to entrepreneurial behavior and autonomous learning theories, providing valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The findings advocate for curriculum reforms integrating applied digital competencies in entrepreneurship programs and policy initiatives supporting continuous digital upskilling to support small business growth and boost economic development. However, its reliance on quantitative data might overlook the full complexity of technological factors affecting entrepreneurial success. Future research should use qualitative methods to better understand these influences.