International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review

THE ROLE OF DIGITAL INNOVATION SKILLS IN SHAPING ENTREPRENEURIAL READINESS AMONG COMMERCE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAKENI

Authors: Kamara Emmanuel*, Sylvester Edmond Saidu, Koroma Abu Bakarr, Minkailu Bangura, Emmanuel Josiah, Steven Gbongbor Mansaray & Alfred Mansaray

ABSTRACT

Digital innovation skills are a key factor in entrepreneurial readiness amid rapid technological change. Research is limited in developing countries like Sierra Leone, despite extensive studies in developed economies. The study investigates the impact of digital innovation skills on entrepreneurial readiness among University of Makeni students. The study aimed to assess the link between digital innovation skills and entrepreneurial readiness, considering demographic and institutional factors. A mixed-methods research design was employed. Data were collected via surveys (120 students) and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS (descriptive, correlation, regression), and qualitative responses were examined using thematic analysis. Demographics: 65% male, 35% female; majority aged 21–23 (45.8%). The analysis revealed that most students possessed moderate-to-high levels of digital innovation skills, and entrepreneurial readiness similarly clustered around moderate levels. The most significant finding was a strong positive correlation between digital innovation skills and entrepreneurial readiness (r = 0.82, p < 0.001; R² = 0.68), indicating that digital skills accounted for 68% of the variance in readiness. Regression confirmed digital innovation strongly predicts entrepreneurial readiness. Digital innovation skills are central to entrepreneurial readiness in Makeni. Recommendations: add digital training to curricula, enhance institutional support, and create digital entrepreneurship policies. Future work should expand across disciplines and assess long-term impacts of digital skills on entrepreneurship.

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