THE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GLOBAL DIGITAL ECONOMY: AN EXPLORATORY COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MULTIPLE CASES

Authors: Xiaojing Wang* & Dhakir Abbas Ali

ABSTRACT

In the context of the rapidly evolving global digital economy, higher education—particularly innovation and entrepreneurship education—faces significant challenges and opportunities. This study utilizes an exploratory multiple-case analysis to compare the innovation and entrepreneurship education ecosystems across various countries and regions, including China, the United States, and Europe. The objective is to identify similarities and differences in areas such as policy support, curriculum design, technological application, and university-industry collaboration. Our analysis highlights that while foreign universities often prioritize interdisciplinary integration and the use of digital technologies, Chinese universities demonstrate distinct advantages in policy support and entrepreneurial practice. This study distills key elements of innovation and entrepreneurship education ecosystems within the global digital economy and proposes strategies for optimizing these ecosystems in Chinese universities. The findings offer both theoretical insights and practical recommendations to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship education in China during the digital economy era, and they also provide valuable references for global education policymakers.

Keywords: digital economy; innovation and entrepreneurship education; ecosystem; multiple-case study; international comparison

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