Design and Evaluation of a Digital Platform for Young Entrepreneurial Skill Development

Thesis Abstract

In response to the burgeoning need for enhanced entrepreneurial capabilities among youth in the digital age, this study addresses the challenge of equipping young aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills through innovative technological means. Recognizing the limitations of conventional entrepreneurship training programs, the research develops and systematically evaluates a bespoke digital platform designed specifically for entrepreneurial skill development among young adults aged 18 to 30. The primary aim is to create an accessible, interactive, and comprehensive online environment that facilitates experiential learning, mentorship, and resource sharing tailored to entrepreneurial processes. The specific objectives include (1) designing the digital platform based on user-centric principles and established pedagogical frameworks; (2) assessing its usability, engagement levels, and perceived learning outcomes; and (3) evaluating its effectiveness in enhancing entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and intentions among users. The research employs a mixed-methods approach anchored in the Design Science Research (DSR) paradigm and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), integrating both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a holistic evaluation. The study’s population comprises 250 young entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs drawn from entrepreneurial training centers and universities within the metropolitan region. A stratified random sampling technique ensures representativeness, with 200 participants completing the quantitative survey and 50 selected for in-depth interviews. Data collection instruments include a structured questionnaire adapted from validated entrepreneurial self-efficacy scales and TAM-based usability questionnaires, alongside semi-structured interview guides to capture nuanced user perspectives. The validity of instruments is established through expert review and pilot testing, while reliability is confirmed via Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0. Eighty participants engage in a pre-test and post-test assessment to measure knowledge and skills gain, and data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, regression analysis, and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Key anticipated findings suggest that the designed digital platform will demonstrate high usability, as reflected by TAM scores, and significantly improve users’ entrepreneurial knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions. Regression analysis is expected to reveal usability as a strong predictor of perceived learning outcomes, while thematic analysis of interviews is likely to uncover factors influencing sustained engagement and perceived value. The findings will contribute new empirical evidence on the effectiveness of tailored digital interventions in entrepreneurial education, grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Cognitive Load Theory, thereby bridging existing gaps in the literature regarding digital pedagogies for entrepreneurship. This research provides a novel contribution by integrating design science principles with experimental and phenomenological methods to holistically assess a digital ecosystem dedicated to youth entrepreneurship. The results are expected to inform policymakers, educators, and platform developers on best practices for deploying digital tools that foster entrepreneurial skills in young populations, thus enhancing their employability, self-employment prospects, and economic empowerment. Concluding, the study will recommend iterative enhancements to the platform based on user feedback, advocate for scalability and integration into existing entrepreneurship training programs, and highlight avenues for future research, such as longitudinal studies on entrepreneurial trajectory impacts and cross-cultural validation of digital learning models. Collectively, this research offers a substantive step toward leveraging technology for sustainable entrepreneurial capacity building among youth globally.