Enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: a comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya

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dc.contributor.advisorVan Belle, Jean-Paul
dc.contributor.authorMutegi, Lorna
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-16T08:44:51Z
dc.date.available2025-09-16T08:44:51Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-09-16T07:41:54Z
dc.description.abstractWestern theories dominate research on digital innovation in the Global South, neglecting contextual differences. Further, current research lacks focus on how structured versus unstructured innovation environments affect digital innovation success in these contexts. This study's investigation and findings centre on the phenomenon of ‘digital innovation success', focusing on digital startups and innovators in Kenya. The study has two objectives: to isolate the enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success in Kenya and to compare the success factors between structured versus unstructured innovation environment. This study uses multiple cases with semi-structured interviews, document reviews, and media analysis. Kleine's Choice Framework was used as the core theoretical lens, from which a conceptual model that guided data analysis was developed. The framework enabled visualisation of digital innovation success systemically and holistically as a development outcome that digital innovators in the Global South strive to achieve. The framework was also used to identify and evaluate the conditions (agency and structure resources) under which digital innovation success opportunities emerge within structured and unstructured environments, thereby revealing their differences and similarities. The study findings in respect of the first objective revealed Entrepreneurship Support Organisations and Innovation Intermediaries as the most influential contextual factor on digital innovation success in Kenya. Results for the second objective revealed structured environment as a significant enabler of success in Kenya but warns against assuming all structures are neutral. The study's first theoretical contribution is an explanation of contextual enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success in the Global South. Second, a theoretical demonstration of how Kleine's Choice Framework can be used as a lens for Information Systems research and for building a conceptual model. The study's first practical contribution is that digital innovators can make informed decisions on the innovation environment that best fits their strengths and startup needs. Second, government and policy makers can better tailor their support for each environment. Further, the study highlights the difference between startups and MSMEs, urging tailored policies for digital startups. Third, investors can leverage the study findings to invest strategically in digital innovation ventures in the Global South.
dc.identifier.apacitationMutegi, L. (2025). <i>Enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: A comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41827en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMutegi, Lorna. <i>"Enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: A comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41827en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMutegi, L. 2025. Enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: A comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41827en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mutegi, Lorna AB - Western theories dominate research on digital innovation in the Global South, neglecting contextual differences. Further, current research lacks focus on how structured versus unstructured innovation environments affect digital innovation success in these contexts. This study's investigation and findings centre on the phenomenon of ‘digital innovation success', focusing on digital startups and innovators in Kenya. The study has two objectives: to isolate the enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success in Kenya and to compare the success factors between structured versus unstructured innovation environment. This study uses multiple cases with semi-structured interviews, document reviews, and media analysis. Kleine's Choice Framework was used as the core theoretical lens, from which a conceptual model that guided data analysis was developed. The framework enabled visualisation of digital innovation success systemically and holistically as a development outcome that digital innovators in the Global South strive to achieve. The framework was also used to identify and evaluate the conditions (agency and structure resources) under which digital innovation success opportunities emerge within structured and unstructured environments, thereby revealing their differences and similarities. The study findings in respect of the first objective revealed Entrepreneurship Support Organisations and Innovation Intermediaries as the most influential contextual factor on digital innovation success in Kenya. Results for the second objective revealed structured environment as a significant enabler of success in Kenya but warns against assuming all structures are neutral. The study's first theoretical contribution is an explanation of contextual enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success in the Global South. Second, a theoretical demonstration of how Kleine's Choice Framework can be used as a lens for Information Systems research and for building a conceptual model. The study's first practical contribution is that digital innovators can make informed decisions on the innovation environment that best fits their strengths and startup needs. Second, government and policy makers can better tailor their support for each environment. Further, the study highlights the difference between startups and MSMEs, urging tailored policies for digital startups. Third, investors can leverage the study findings to invest strategically in digital innovation ventures in the Global South. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Digital Innovation KW - Digital Innovation Success KW - Digital Entrepreneurship KW - Digital Startup Innovation KW - Technology Innovation KW - Innovation Success KW - Barriers KW - Enablers KW - Context in Innovation Ecosystems KW - Choice Framework LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: A comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya TI - Enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: A comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41827 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/41827
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMutegi L. Enablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: A comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41827en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Information Systems
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Commerce
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectDigital Innovation
dc.subjectDigital Innovation Success
dc.subjectDigital Entrepreneurship
dc.subjectDigital Startup Innovation
dc.subjectTechnology Innovation
dc.subjectInnovation Success
dc.subjectBarriers
dc.subjectEnablers
dc.subjectContext in Innovation Ecosystems
dc.subjectChoice Framework
dc.titleEnablers of and barriers to digital innovation success: a comparative study of structured versus unstructured technology innovation environments in Kenya
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationlevelPhD
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