Configurational path of successful entrepreneurship based on open government data: a QCA analysis

Purpose In the era of big data, data have become an essential factor of production. In the context of open government data (OGD), encouraging the commercial development of OGD is significant for promoting mass innovation and entrepreneurship. This study aims to explore the configurational impact of data supply, external environment and entrepreneurial foundation on data-driven entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach This research used a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Fourteen start-ups using OGD were taken as a case sample. Findings This study produces two paths to achieving high entrepreneurial performance, one is a financing-enhanced entrepreneurial path and the other is a data-driven entrepreneurial path. Besides, four conditions are necessary for high performance of OGD-based entrepreneurship: good data quality, mature legal environment, favorable market environment and abundant big data entrepreneurial talents. Practical implications The findings have important practical implications for formulating policies related to promoting the application of government open data and innovation and entrepreneurship in terms of strengthening top-level design, improving the legal environment, developing the data market and cultivating entrepreneurial talents. Originality/value Although many studies have been conducted on OGD, studies on the paths to successful entrepreneurship based on OGD are limited. In this study, this issue is investigated from a configurational perspective by using the fsQCA technique.