Luis Miguel Olortegui-Alcalde

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Digital innovation is critical to the competitiveness of university-based startups in emerging economies, yet empirical evidence contextualized to Peru remains limited. This study analyzes the effect of digital innovation, operationalized through digital marketing, process automation, and data analytics, on the performance of university startups in Peru using the PLS-SEM technique. We employed a quantitative design with a structured survey administered to founders or managers of 100 student startups affiliated with incubation programs at two private universities in Lima; the sample was selected for relevance (active operations and engagement with digital tools). Data were collected between August and November 2024 using multi-item Likert questionnaires. Reliability and validity were assessed with standard PLS-SEM criteria, and structural paths were evaluated via bootstrapping (5,000 resamples). Results indicate that digital marketing increases competitiveness (β = 0.54; p < .001), process automation improves operational efficiency (β = 0.41; p < .001), and data analytics strengthens strategic adaptability (β = 0.48; p < .001). Additionally, 56% of startups report financing constraints as the main barrier to digital transformation, followed by insufficient digital training (22%) and limited access to technology (15%). Taken together, these findings suggest that university incubators in resource-constrained contexts can enhance startup performance by prioritizing targeted financing instruments, hands-on training in automation and analytics, and affordable access to technology.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
In emerging economies, youth unemployment and limited entrepreneurial education remain persistent challenges for higher education institutions. This study aims to examine how the dimensions of design thinking (empathy, creativity, and problem-solving) influence the development of entrepreneurial competencies among university students in Peru. A structured questionnaire was administered to 385 undergraduates enrolled in business programs at two private universities in Metropolitan Lima between August and November 2024. Business undergraduates were selected because they represent the segment most actively involved in university-based entrepreneurial initiatives in Peru. Data were analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) to assess the structural relationships between design thinking dimensions and entrepreneurial competencies. The results reveal strong and statistically significant associations across all constructs. Problem-solving exerted the strongest effect on willingness to innovate (β = 0.42), followed by entrepreneurial motivation (β = 0.37) and creativity (β = 0.33). Empathy demonstrated positive effects on motivation (β = 0.35) and resilience (β = 0.28), with all coefficients significant at p < .001. Model fit indicators confirmed robust adequacy (CFI = 0.94; GFI = 0.92; NFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.06). These findings indicate that design thinking strengthens the cognitive and behavioral foundations of entrepreneurial performance, particularly adaptability, creative ideation, and user-centered problem-solving. Integrating this human-centered iterative methodology into higher education represents an effective strategy for enhancing students’ innovation capacity and resilience. The study advances theory by empirically validating design thinking as a pedagogical mechanism for entrepreneurship education, and advances practice by offering evidence-based guidance for universities operating in emerging economies.