亚开行-亚洲发展中国家的数字化转型和创业创新：比较证据和政策教训（英）

ADB BRIEFSDigital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Innovation in Developing Asia: Comparative Evidence and Policy LessonsKEY POINTS• Digitalization is a powerful driver of entrepreneurial innovation across developing economies, but its impact depends on skills and institutions—not infrastructure alone.• Developing Asia shows systematically weaker innovation payoffs from digitalization than Africa and the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and emerging Europe, despite strong information and communication technology investments.• Governance indicators (government online services, e-participation) are especially important globally, yet their benefits are not fully reaching entrepreneurs in developing Asia.• The region’s paradox reflects a translation gap: digital readiness exists, but innovation gains remain concentrated in advanced hubs and larger firms.• Policy priorities should focus on (i) building digital and managerial skills; (ii) improving accessibility and orientation to small and medium-sized enterprises of government digital services; and (iii) bridging divides between urban and rural, and formal and informal economies.Digital technology is reshaping economies worldwide, offering developing regions new opportunities for productivity, markets, and growth. Entrepreneurs stand to benefit most, as they are often more agile than larger firms in adopting new tools and reaching underserved customers. This brief examines whether digitalization supports entrepreneurial innovation across developing economies, with a particular focus on developing Asia.Using individual-level data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor combined with domestic level indicators from the Global Innovation Index, the study analyzes nearly 70 developing economies during 2013–2022. The results show that digitalization—measured through information and communication technology (ICT) access, ICT use, government online services, and e-participation—consistently increases the likelihood that entrepreneurs introduce new products or services. Governance-related dimensions are especially powerful drivers globally.NO. 362NOVEMBER 2025ISBN 978-92-9277-509-4 (print)ISBN 978-92-9277-510-0 (PDF)ISSN 2071-7202 (print)ISSN 2218-2675 (PDF)Publication Stock No. BRF250469-2DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22617/BRF250469-2Yeng-May TanAssistant Professor of Finance and Head, Master of Economics in Finance School of Economics and Management Xiamen University MalaysiaJosé Ernesto AmorósAssociate Dean of Research and Faculty EGADE Business School Tecnológico de MonterreyErkko AutioProfessor and Chair in Technology Venturing and Entrepreneurship Imperial College London Business SchoolKun FuReader of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute for International Management and Entrepreneurship Loughborough University LondonDonghyun ParkEconomic Advisor Economic Research and Development Impact Department Asian Development BankADB BRIEFS NO. 3622Yet