Examining the Factors Influencing the Growth and Scalability of Startups in International Markets: A Systematic Literature Review with a Focus on Digital Technologies

The rapid growth and spread of startups is critical in driving innovation, generating employment, and fostering economic growth in many countries through technological advancements (Autio et al., 2014; Guerrero & Urbano, 2019). In this context, a digital startup is a form of entrepreneurship that focuses on recognizing and capitalizing on opportunities arising from scientific or technological advancements, primarily through the development of digital products or solutions (Giones et al., 2017). By utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data analytics, startups can introduce novel products, services, and business models, which, in turn, contribute to their scalability and flexibility (Baragde, 2023; Greco, 2023). A business model can be defined as the organizational logic through which a company creates customer value, encapsulated in a concept that meets customer expectations, provides value to the organization, and delivers economic benefits (Effendi et al., 2024). The synthesis of scholarly work emphasizes the integral link between digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy frameworks, underscoring how digital technologies are pivotal in reshaping business strategies, decision-making, and the economic landscape at large. For instance, the development of a digital industrial policy enhances entrepreneurship through digital infrastructure investments and research and development in Europe (Nikiforou et al., 2019). In the context of emerging economies, the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem and national digital policies help overcome structural hurdles and foster global technological integration (Foster & Azmeh, 2020; Shen et al., 2018). These findings highlight the need for policies that support sustainable economic growth in the digital era (Foster & Azmeh, 2020; Guellec & Paunov, 2018). This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to analyze existing research on the factors influencing the growth and scalability of startups in international markets, with a particular focus on the role of digital technologies. By synthesizing findings from diverse contexts, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers, challenges, and policy implications shaping the global startup ecosystem.