Open data hackathons: an innovative strategy to enhance entrepreneurial intention

Abstract

Purpose In terms of entrepreneurship, open data benefits include economic growth, innovation, empowerment and new or improved products and services. Hackathons encourage the development of new applications using open data and the creation of startups based on these applications. Researchers focus on factors that affect nascent entrepreneurs’ decision to create a startup but researches in the field of open data hackathons have not been fully investigated yet. This paper aims to suggest a model that incorporates factors that affect the decision of establishing a startup by developers who have participated in open data hackathons. Design/methodology/approach In total, 70 papers were examined and analyzed using a three-phased literature review methodology, which was suggested by Webster and Watson (2002). These surveys investigated several factors that affect a nascent entrepreneur to create a startup. Findings Eventually, by identifying the motivations for developers to participate in a hackathon, and understanding the benefits of the use of open data, researchers will be able to elaborate the proposed model and evaluate if the contest has contributed to the decision of establish a startup and what factors affect the decision to establish a startup apply to open data developers, and if the participants of the contest agree with these factors. Originality/value The paper expands the scope of open data research on entrepreneurship field, stating the need for more research to be conducted regarding the open data in entrepreneurship through hackathons.