Digital Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Capital and Well-Being of Owner-Managers of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

The relationship between digital entrepreneurship and the well-being of owner-managers remains uncertain, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies like Ghana. The study examined the effect of digital entrepreneurship on the well-being of owner-managers of SMEs. It further examined the mediating role of intellectual capital on this nexus. The research employed a post-positivist perspective, utilising a quantitative research methodology and an explanatory research design. To facilitate the collection of data, a standardised, self-administered questionnaire was employed. The study utilised the simple random sampling technique to select 385 respondents from the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Results revealed that digital entrepreneurship and intellectual capital had a significant positive effect on the well-being of owner-managers. Also, intellectual capital positively mediates the link between digital entrepreneurship and well-being of owner-managers. The study concludes that digital entrepreneurship offers possibilities to improve the well-being of owner-managers. In addition, the effective management of intellectual capital, can improve the well-being of owner-managers of SMEs. The study therefore recommended that SMEs owner-managers should develop their skills and knowledge in the use and integration of current digital technologies in their business processes and effectively manage intellectual capital to benefit from the immense transformation that it brings to business operations and consequently improve their well-being.