The impact of digital platforms on new startup performance: Strategy as moderator

Heliyon. 2023 Nov 28;9(12):e22159. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22159. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Recent studies have acknowledged the contribution of digital platforms to entrepreneurial activity. However, little has been discovered regarding the way digital platforms impact new start-ups' performance and how strategy affects this relationship. This study investigated this phenomenon using a structural equation model based on entrepreneurial bricolage and environmental strategy performance theory. The current findings indicate that broader market outreach, cost-effectiveness, and network effect produce a favorable, direct, and substantial effect on new startup performance. Furthermore, strategy moderates the effects of broader market outreach, network effect, and cost-effectiveness on new startup performance. Furthermore, strategy moderates the impact of broader market outreach, network effect, and cost-effectiveness on new startup performance. The Chinese government in particular, and governments of various emerging nations generally, must pay close attention to the results of this research to design policies that will not only lengthen the lifespan of small businesses but also promote rapid expansion as well as innovation of digital start-ups.

Keywords: Digital platforms; Digital startups; New startup performance; Strategy.