Digital Tools in Entrepreneurship Education: Effects on Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Intentions

Abstract

This research explores the development of entrepreneurial knowledge and intentions among students in Central and Eastern European as well as Southern European countries in the context of using digital tools within entrepreneurship education. As digitalization increasingly reshapes educational practices, entrepreneurship programs have progressively incorporated digital platforms, simulations, and online learning environments. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes the association between students’ perceived learning outcomes, their intentions to start a business, and the application of specific digital tools, drawing on quantitative survey data alongside a systematic review and analysis of existing scholarly literature. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the extent to which the integration of digital tools in entrepreneurship education affects both the acquisition of entrepreneurial knowledge and the development of entrepreneurial intentions among students in Central and Eastern and Southern European countries. Based on data collected from higher education institutions across several countries in the examined regions, the study offers comparative cross-national insights into the effectiveness of digital tools in supporting entrepreneurial skill development. The results indicate notable regional differences in the effectiveness of these tools and demonstrate that, although digital tools contribute positively to student engagement and knowledge enhancement, their influence on entrepreneurial intentions is shaped by cultural, institutional, and pedagogical contexts. Overall, the study enriches the existing literature on digital entrepreneurship education and provides practical implications for educators and policymakers seeking to reinforce entrepreneurship ecosystems through digitally supported learning approaches.