EmDigital to Promote Digital Entrepreneurship: The Relation with Open Innovation

Entrepreneurial skills and digital competence are two basic competences in people’s education in the 21st century. They are also transversal competences in university degrees. We carried out an analysis of European models, which suggest areas and indicators within these two competencies (entrepreneurial and digital), with the ultimate goal of elaborating an original model of digital entrepreneurship competence, which we have named EmDigital. This analysis was performed by means of a qualitative approach and the combination of documentary analysis techniques, focusgroup discussion and expert judgement through the Delphi method in a sequence of four consecutive phases. The proposed EmDigital model encompasses 4 areas, 15 sub-competences and 45 indicators. This model will be useful for the design of descriptive types of tests and certification tests, as well as for the design of formative proposals both for professors and for students of higher studies. Furthermore, the model will lead to new lines of research in the area of competence-based training.


Introduction
Even though entrepreneurship has been traditionally associated with the economic and business field, it is currently considered one of the main objectives to ensure the social, cultural and economic development of any region [1,2], and, as a consequence, it is considered a basic competence in any citizen's training [3][4][5] and a personal commitment to improve our everyday environment [6].
Entrepreneurship, in its broader sense, is related to the idea of progress of any society. For this reason, entrepreneurship, throughout history, has always been linked to innovation [7,8], since by means of innovation, processes of change and improvement from an original idea are promoted. Today, ICTs are deemed a necessary instrument to promote innovation, and the digital world is an optimal context to create value and maintain up-to-date proposals, although they inevitably lead to many raised questions.
In order to tackle the challenge of innovation in the digital scope, different social agents agree that training in both entrepreneurship competence [9] as well as digital competence [10,11] is key. We have focused our research on both competences to design an innovative model of digital entrepreneurship (EmDigital), as we explain in this article.

Literature Review: Entrepreneurial and Digital Competences
In regard to entrepreneurial competence, in the European model EntreComp [2,5], entrepreneurship is defined as the capacity of turning the opportunities and ideas to develop new possibilities into actions in social, cultural or financial environments. This model was designed on behalf of the European Commission as a tool to analyze the entrepreneurial guidance of the training plans in the countries that make up the EU. Reference [12] (p. 8) defines entrepreneurship competence as "an individual's ability to assumes that digital entrepreneurship implies changes in at least three aspects: reducing barriers when starting a new business, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurial activity and posing new challenges for new businesses which have not existed before. Especially interesting is the contribution made by the authors of [33], who state that digital entrepreneurs are not concerned with technology itself but centered on the service that these technologies provide.
This new form of entrepreneurship is deemed of great interest for university students [34]. On the same subject, the authors of [35] consider this a valuable opportunity for students, due to the minimal initial investments that need to be made to create a start-up, not to mention the alternative means of collective funding, such as crowdfunding, which are also available. Moreover, through this type of digital initiative, young entrepreneurs usually count on an added value, internationalization, as they can explore the gateway to a global market in a more effective way [36]. The synergy generated between entrepreneurship and technology is responsible for a new ecosystem that is not limited to a single economic sector [37].
For all these reasons, higher education institutions should not disregard this reality, since training in digital entrepreneurship is a necessity that each student needs to cope with their everyday life and progress [38]. Not only must university institutions offer counselling to young entrepreneurs, but they also need to provide them with training plans by means of which the competencies necessary to deal with the challenges of digital entrepreneurship can be developed. This necessity is highlighted by the authors of [39], who state that students lack the key competencies in the field of entrepreneurship.
Following the review of different works on the subject of digital entrepreneurship [32,33,40,41], we understand this concept as the capacities, knowledge, skills and attitudes that contribute to promoting the development of creative ideas and that support the planning and management of innovative projects developed in the virtual world, and that demand the use of digital technologies. Therefore, the capacity for innovation and management that defines entrepreneurship is paired with dexterity in the use of digital technologies. This initiative itself is promoted in connection to the virtual world.
In the present article we introduce a model for the competence in digital entrepreneurship, a model that has been elaborated by means of a qualitative methodology and that has implied the inception of the ANONYMOUS project. For the construction of this model, the dimensions, competencies and indicators that make it possible to further define measurement instruments and criteria for the training of university students were defined.

Methodology
The project ANONYMOUS aims to analyze entrepreneurship competence following the construction of a model that can be applicable to a variety of environments, but especially in the context of university education. The point of departure, as we have signaled, is the definition and objectification of a model of digital entrepreneurship. Based on this model, in future phases of the research a questionnaire will be designed and validated in order to evaluate the digital entrepreneurship competence in university students, and the good practices of digital entrepreneurship will be analyzed by means of interviews with digital entrepreneurs. With all these results, we will be able to carry out, in the final phase of the project, a training proposal of digital entrepreneurship aimed at university students.

Research Questions and Objectives
Our research questions were: Is it possible to design a model of digital entrepreneurship? Can we find connections between European models of entrepreneurship and digital competence? In this initial phase, the main objective is the elaboration of the model of digital entrepreneurship, which needs to accommodate specific tasks to tackle throughout the subsequent phases. Our specific objectives were: 1.
Performing a comparative study of the EntreComp and DigComp models, analyzing their interconnections regarding their dimensions, competences and competency indicators; 2.
Designing a model of digital entrepreneurship applicable to the training of university students; 3.
Validating the model and its indicators.

Method
A qualitative methodology based on an interpretative approach [42] was utilized, and diverse techniques were gradually applied in order to refine the design of the model, as Reference [43] recommends. This was an inductive process. First, a technique of comparative documentary analysis was utilized (phase 1). A focus-group technique was implemented (in phases 2 and 4). Expert judgement based on the Delphi method was also utilized (phase 3). The profile of expertise was experience in education and experience in competence analysis. All experts in this study were university researchers. Firstly, based on the techniques of documentary analysis [44], a work team consisting of seven researchers was in charge of performing a documentary review and criteria analysis to establish the most significant relationships between the mentioned European models (EntreComp and DigComp). For this, a double entry table where the different competences that both models lay out was utilized. Said instrument was composed of the 5 areas of the DigComp model and its 21 competences, as well as the 3 areas of the EntreComp model and its 15 competences. Each researcher performed their own analysis individually to identify which competences should be interrelated to define a model of digital entrepreneurship.

Phase 2: Focus Group
Once this task was completed, each researcher's instruments were compared, and a total of 202 relationships were found. These were analyzed in a focus-group session [45]. In this group session, the dimensions where agreements between at least 4 researchers could be observed were analyzed. As a result of this phase, 46 interconnections between both models were obtained, which implied a significant reduction in comparison to the result obtained in the previous analysis. After a re-elaboration of the work documents was completed, a second focus-group session was carried out in order to analyze the result, both regarding the content as well as the wording and objectification of the dimensions, sub-competencies and indicators.

Phase 3: Expert Judgement
Using the expert judgement technique, an external board of 8 professionals-both in digital competence and in entrepreneurship-took part in the analysis of the model, applying a two-round Delphi method [46], using which they had to select and accept or reject the suggested indicators in relation to each dimension and sub-competence.

Phase 4: Final Focus Group
In order to analyze the results obtained from the expert judgement, the focus-group technique was again utilized-on this occasion, in a single session with the participation of five researchers of the project and two external experts who had not participated in any of the previous phases. This way, the final version of the EmDigital model outlined in Section 4 was incepted.
In Figure 1, by way of a graphic summary, the different phases with their most significant research tasks are detailed. of the previous phases. This way, the final version of the EmDigital model outlined in Section 4 was incepted. In Figure 1, by way of a graphic summary, the different phases with their most significant research tasks are detailed.

Results
The EmDigital model is organized into four dimensions, which include the different competencies and indicators. In Table 1 the dimensions and their relation with the areas belonging to the reference models are described, that is, the connections between the areas of competence of the EntreComp model [2,5] and the DigComp model [15,16]. In these tables, we use color coding to facilitate their visibility and help to identify the areas of competence of the EmDigital model. Initial process of selection and organization of the first lines of action based on certain criteria.
2. Action planning A1 and A2 A2 and A3 Phase of digital design and definition of the roles involved in the entrepreneurial initiative.
3. Initiative and collaboration A2 and A3 A2 and A3 Participation of the agents involved in the digital undertaking of the original idea and favoring its progress.

Management and safety A1, A2 and A3 A4 and A5
Continuous cycle of revision and formulation of proposals, based on the results obtained throughout the progress of the initiative, as well as safety and problem-solving guarantees.
Each dimension encompasses a different number of sub-competences, according to the relationships found between the competences of the EntreComp and DigComp 2.1 models. For the formulation of the different sub-competences that make up the EmDigital model, not only were said intersections taken into account but also the literature related to entrepreneurship. We namely incorporated the concepts of learning through experi-

Results
The EmDigital model is organized into four dimensions, which include the different competencies and indicators. In Table 1 the dimensions and their relation with the areas belonging to the reference models are described, that is, the connections between the areas of competence of the EntreComp model [2,5] and the DigComp model [15,16]. In these tables, we use color coding to facilitate their visibility and help to identify the areas of competence of the EmDigital model. Continuous cycle of revision and formulation of proposals, based on the results obtained throughout the progress of the initiative, as well as safety and problem-solving guarantees.
Each dimension encompasses a different number of sub-competences, according to the relationships found between the competences of the EntreComp and DigComp 2.1 models. For the formulation of the different sub-competences that make up the EmDigital model, not only were said intersections taken into account but also the literature related to entrepreneurship. We namely incorporated the concepts of learning through experience, the use of portable devices and the capacity of engaging and mobilizing others, borrowed from [47]; leadership and problem solving [48] and innovation and risk-taking, from [49]. This way, a greater accuracy is guaranteed, since other capacities or sub-competences not included in the EntreComp model or that had been approached through a different outlook are considered. The goal of this research was to endow the model with a significant consistency regarding entrepreneurship, thus being able to include in it the areas related to digital competence.
Once the relationships between the reference models were filtered and complemented with other contributions of the entrepreneurship literature, the wording and distribution of competences based on the dimensions of the EmDigital model (Table 2) were carried out. Table 2. Description of the competences and sub-competences of the EmDigital model.

C1. Search for and analysis of information
Research and selection of ideas as a point of departure for the creation of an opportunity or entrepreneurial endeavor.

C2. Creativity and innovation
Identification of the potential innovative values, which can be applied to the entrepreneurial initiative and concretion of creative ideas to tackle current challenges.

C3. Prospecting
Exploring the real opportunities of the process of development and implementation of ideas in the immediate future.
C4. Success orientation Individual and collective efforts to transform the original idea into a reality in the best possible manner.

C7. Initiative
Carrying out of the process by which an individual finds the motivations and necessary support to start creating value.

C8. Communication and collaboration
Interaction and formal and informal discussion in open or private digital spaces on specific issues and related to the action undertaken.

C9. Creation of digital value
Development of the digital content related to the initiative, for its further sharing with society or the community or the corresponding actors.

C10. Responsibility and commitment
Assumption of obligations and personal and ethical involvement (like the use of copyright and licenses) acquired throughout the process of inception and development of an idea, which can generate value.

C11. Learning from experience
Evaluation of the different actions implemented to optimize the processes and enhance the accomplishment of the objectives.

C12. Problem solving
Intervention or mediation when solving technical, communication, management or other type of problems.

C13. Planning and organization
Appraisal of the degree of accomplishment of the objectives set and classification of stored information.

C14. Techno-ethical approach
Minimization of the potential risks that the design and/or implementation of the proposal could entail and commitment to regular updating.

C15. Motivation and perseverance
Crafting an individualized and transferable sense of commitment to ensure the progress of the initiative.
In general terms, the EmDigital model is composed of a total of 15 competences, distributed as follows: dimension 1 of identification of opportunities (three sub-competences); dimension 2 on action planning (three sub-competences); dimension 3 of implementation and collaboration (four sub-competences); and finally, dimension 4, related to management and safety (five sub-competences).
With the aim of favoring the practical realization of the EmDigital model, each one of the 15 sub-competencies described is summed up with different indicators, as in the reference models (EntreComp and DigComp). In Table 3 we can see that dimension 1 is defined by means of 6 indicators, dimension 2 through 11 indicators, dimension 3, through 12 indicators and, finally, dimension 4, with 16 indicators. A total of 45 indicators form the EmDigital model.  In the EntreComp and DigComp models, the areas of competence do not establish logical relationships between each other; these are analyzed separately. However, in our EmDigital model, the dimensions are presented in a sequential and gradual manner. This means that each of the dimensions describes the competences needed in each of the different phases that could be developed in an actual initiative of digital entrepreneurship. It can therefore be useful as an orientation to understand how the areas of competence are being displayed in the process of implementation of an entrepreneurial initiative, from the initial phase of generation of ideas and identification of opportunities, through the intermediate phases of planning and implementation, to the phase of analyzing the most complex elements of management and safety. With the purpose of contributing to the understanding of the model, we represented it graphically, as shown in Figure 2. In the diagram the dimensions and competences of the EmDigital model can be observed. Likewise, in the project's website ANONYMOUS, a dynamic version of the diagram, also featuring the different indicators, can be consulted. the initial phase of generation of ideas and identification of opportunities, through the intermediate phases of planning and implementation, to the phase of analyzing the most complex elements of management and safety. With the purpose of contributing to the understanding of the model, we represented it graphically, as shown in Figure 2. In the diagram the dimensions and competences of the EmDigital model can be observed. Likewise, in the project's website ANONYMOUS, a dynamic version of the diagram, also featuring the different indicators, can be consulted.

Discussion: EmDigital Model
The main objective that the EmDigital model of digital entrepreneurship pursues is that of specifying the theoretical bases that will allow us to elaborate digital entrepreneurship competence with university students, irrespective of their field of knowledge. We also intend to formulate institutional proposals, since effective training in digital entrepreneurship is a transversal challenge for any university degree [36,38].
In the present work, one of the tasks of the initial phase of the project is detailed. This consists of the design of a digital entrepreneurship model, which establishes the different dimensions, competencies and indicators that facilitate the realization of any entrepreneurial idea, regardless of its funding, objectives, field or any other variables that make it unique and viable.
The rigorous and systematic design process has made it possible to reveal the most significant relationships between the EntreComp and DigComp models so as to obtain a hybrid model with sufficient validity assurance. The bibliographic review was also greatly useful in the completion of the formulation of the model.
The structure of the EmDigital model is not vastly different from its reference models, as the EntreComp model is composed of 3 areas and 15 competences, the DigComp model is supported by 5 areas and 21 competences while the digital entrepreneurship model is supported by 4 dimensions and 15 competences. Furthermore, taking into account the 3 descriptors of each competence of the EntreComp model, it was also considered convenient for the EmDigital model to specify each one of its competences, adding up to a total of 45 indicators.
Unlike the previous models of entrepreneurship and digital competency, our EmDigital model has a sequential characteristic, thanks to which its understanding as well as the implementation of any entrepreneurial initiative are fostered. This characteristic makes the model useful as a research and analytical work base but also as a support for the design and implementation of initiatives in the field of digital entrepreneurship. In addition to this sequential nature of the EmDigital model, it is worth considering that not only does digital entrepreneurship present an employment opportunity full of benefits, but it also entails different risks that need to be taken into account to guarantee the durability of the entrepreneurial endeavor, as noted by Reference [50]. However, due to the sequential nature of the EmDigital model and the descriptors of competences such as "learning through experience" or "motivation and consistency", the undertaken initiative will always remain updated, and the potential risks will always be reduced to a minimum, or at least be solved in time. In short, this is a theoretical model, but we believe that it has a relevant dimension of applicability in practice when designing, planning and managing an entrepreneurial initiative in the virtual world.
On the other hand, it is worth highlighting that the model presented responds to the challenge posed by the authors of [37] about generating a new ecosystem in which entrepreneurship and technology converge, with the aim of addressing the present and future challenges that our society requires to progress, as we have indeed combined all the components of entrepreneurship, together with the aspects that characterize the digital competence associated with the use of technologies. Reference [32] also draws attention to the reality posed by the changes that digitalization has entailed for the business world, which endows our model with an added value, as this is an aspect for which comprehensive references (including competency indicators), as is the case for EmDigital, are lacking.
The author of [51] analyzes the impact of digitalization in the business world and leads to the conclusion about the necessity of formulating a new theoretical model for entrepreneurship, as we carried out in this research, even though in our case it was done from an educational and not a business perspective.
Hence, we understand that the EmDigital model fulfills the need to theorize about digital entrepreneurship and offers a theoretical framework for research, as well as a practical action framework for the training of university students. This way, the counselling that the competent bodies in each university (offices, clubs or other organs of university entrepreneurship) provide and the basic conceptual training-which is necessary, but insufficient to launch the entrepreneurial endeavor-are complemented [39].

Discussion: The Relation between EmDigital Model and Open Innovation
At a time like the present, in which technology is a key element in sociocultural evolution and business development, it is necessary to consider what an entrepreneur needs to know in order to develop and succeed in a digital context. Entrepreneurship today is not limited to a specific field, such as technology and business degrees. According to [52], open innovation is a strategy that can promote the success of any start-up. Our model could therefore be a good support for such a strategy because we have a complete collection and description of the main competences of digital entrepreneurs.
Start-ups and spin-offs have highlighted the need to promote entrepreneurial initiatives in which the interdisciplinary nature of the team, collaboration and communication are together the key to success. It is not in vain that the paradigm of open innovation, characterized and coined by Reference [53], draws attention to the fact that business and product ideas do not originate and develop within the company, so it is essential to establish links and relationships with external agents, professionals, suppliers and consumers to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the company. In this new paradigm, therefore, the key role that technologies can play should not be overlooked, and it is perhaps for this reason that "Open innovation has achieved a certain degree of face validity within at least a small portion of high-tech industries" ( [54], p. 1). In this sense, ref. [55] point out the cooperation that exists between public and private entities to favor an optimal design and development of the most avant-garde innovations in our society.
All these ideas fit perfectly with the open virtual world, so they are in line with the concept of digital entrepreneurship. If we understand that open innovation must incorporate all the potential of external knowledge in our business or project, we can agree that digital technologies are providing an incredible amount of innovative knowledge. We were able to bring together digital competences plus entrepreneurial competences to design a model that will help us to understand the possibilities of digital technologies with regard to the world of open innovation and entrepreneurship.
We studied digital entrepreneurship from a scientific point of view, and EmDigital is a validated model, so different opportunities related to open innovation should be highlighted. First, companies demand policies to improve the innovation of their services, with the intention of adjusting to new market demands. Therefore, in recent years there has been a positive trend towards university-industry-government collaboration with the aim of improving innovation in the business environment [56], which is fully related to EmDigital because one of the aims of this research project is to generate institutional proposals, from a training perspective, for digital entrepreneurship.
Focusing on the company-university binomial, the authors of [57] (p. 9) point out some of the benefits that this relationship can offer "to deepen the integration of production, teaching, and research; improve the efficiency of scientific research transformation; and use this part of the income to supplement school funding". However, EmDigital is not only a model to improve the initial digital entrepreneurship training of university graduates [43] but also an opportunity to improve the innovation process of companies by reflecting on what it means to be a successful entrepreneur. In this sense, we consider that the EmDigital model can be a breakthrough opportunity for any type of entrepreneurship: the entrepreneurship of novice entrepreneurs, the intra-entrepreneurship of employees and organizational entrepreneurship [58].
In conclusion, this model is aimed at university students who are going to start their working life, but future research can use this model to evaluate competences of workers and to design processes to improve their digital entrepreneurship. For all that has been described, EmDigital is an opportunity to improve the development of open innovation, as according to [59], through university research it is possible to promote the establishment of new innovation ecosystems, giving rise to knowledge-based enterprises. More specifically, EmDigital could mean the creation of an open innovation community (OIC) to achieve the knowledge transfer that is so demanded in these open innovation processes [60].

Conclusions
Echoing a prospective vision based on the present work, it is worth highlighting that another research task that is being carried out is the selection of good practices of digital entrepreneurship, according to previously defined criteria, supported both in the EmDigital model as well as in the visual tool known as the strategic tree, which consists of facilitating the strategic reflection in entrepreneurs in regard to the management of their proposal [61]. Likewise, different interviews with successful digital entrepreneurs are being conducted with a double objective: concretizing, if need be, the indicators of the EmDigital model and promoting the design of the training proposal in digital entrepreneurship for university students from a practical perspective.
In this work, an innovative model of digital entrepreneurship to guarantee the sustainability of an entrepreneurial project is offered, thus generating a positive impact for the accomplishment of the objectives of sustainable development promoted by the United Nations. Consequently, EmDigital not only aims to tackle the educational and work challenges described in the text but also social ones.