An Empirical Analysis of Factors Motivating Unemployed Individuals to Engage in Digital Entrepreneurship in Oman: Focus on Technological Infrastructure

Abstract

Technological infrastructure plays a critical role in a country’s development and progress, enabling economic growth, innovation, and improving citizens’ quality of life. This study explores the potential of digital entrepreneurship and digital transformation in reducing unemployment in Oman. With the increasing reliance on digital technologies, governments need to invest in technological infrastructure that can meet the evolving needs of society. This study investigates the potential of digital entrepreneurship and digital transformation in reducing unemployment in Oman. This study highlights the importance of technological infrastructure in enabling economic growth and improving citizens’ quality of life. The findings indicate that digital entrepreneurship offers equal opportunities for both genders, potentially empowering women in entrepreneurship and addressing unemployment challenges. Additionally, the study shows a positive relationship between age and digital entrepreneurship aspirations. To foster entrepreneurship, the study suggests empowering young job seekers with digital knowledge and enabling graduates to create new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. The study found significant effects of “Unemployment in the Sultanate of Oman (reasons and solutions)” on occupation, as indicated by a between-group sum of squares of 8.773, two degrees of freedom, and a mean square of 4.387, with an F value of 11.274, and a significance level of 0.000. On the other hand, the “Digital Entrepreneurship Sector” significantly affected occupation, with a between-groups sum of squares of 4.394, two degrees of freedom, and a mean square of 2.197, and an F value of 10.267 with a significance level of 0.000. Similarly, for the “Entrepreneurship Digital Infrastructure” variable, there was no significant difference between male and female mean scores (t = −1.516, df = 206, p = 0.131). Overall, the results indicate that the digital entrepreneurship sector significantly impacts occupation, while the entrepreneurship digital infrastructure has no significant effect. Additionally, female respondents showed a higher mean score in perceptions of “Unemployment in the Sultanate of Oman (reasons and solutions)” compared to male respondents.

The impact of ease of doing business and technological infrastructure on economic growth in the Arab world

“…According to Elshaiekh, Al-Hijji, Shehata, and Alrashdi (2023) countries that have developed advanced technical infrastructure tend to have more favorable economic environments which attract foreign direct investment. Multinational corporations find simpler to establish stores in areas with advanced electricity, communication, transportation and internet infrastructure.…”

“…Foreign direct investment (FDI) is anticipated to increase if a nation's technical infrastructure expands. According to Elshaiekh et al (2023), a nation's technological infrastructure has a significant impact on foreign direct investment. Businesses and industries flourish when appropriate technical frameworks are in place.…”