The Role of e-Entrepreneurship in Fostering Youth Empowerment: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways for Socio-Economic Development

Abstract

The Purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between e-entrepreneurship and youth empowerment, with a specific emphasis on the mediating effect of entrepreneurial mindset in a developing economy context. A quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey of 317 respondents aged between 18 and 35 from District
Khairpur and neighbouring regions in Sindh, Pakistan. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS, applying correlation, regression, and mediation analyses. The results indicate a positive and
significant impact of E-entrepreneurship on youth empowerment. Our findings also indicate that e-entrepreneurship strengthens the entrepreneurial mindset, as it is associated with better empowerment results. Mediation
analysis supports the conclusion that e-entrepreneurship influences youth empowerment, in part, through their entrepreneurial mindset. The study emphasizes bridging entrepreneurial upliftment within digital entrepreneurship
efforts to ensure maximum youth empowerment. These insights will benefit policymakers, educators, and other development actors seeking to leverage digital talent in order to foster economic growth through youth and
entrepreneurship programming in developing economies.