Creating new tech entrepreneurs with digital platforms: Meta-organizations for shared value in data-driven retail ecosystems

Creating technologically focused entrepreneurs is a crucial endeavor worldwide, especially with the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. This research explores meta-organizations that enable new business models in the retail domain by acting as a powerful mechanism to support entrepreneurs in extracting value from data. This study investigates how meta-organizations engage users and empower tech entrepreneurs to create shared value by developing social innovation. This research involves an in-depth and longitudinal unique case study of a meta-organization operating in Italy, Germany, and Finland. Results indicate that the flexible structure of meta-organizations can effectively guide stakeholders of different mindsets to offer support to high-tech startups. AI-based platforms are a reliable alternative to tackle critical social issues in order to improve economic growth and increase people's performance in a stressful, competitive environment, such as the retail sector. The findings affirm that AI-based innovation orchestrated by meta-organizations can enable new business models by creating shared value for society. Seven critical success factors with implications for theory and practice are discussed, and a new model for AI-driven entrepreneurship is proposed.