How digital entrepreneurship drives performance in cross-border tourism business
International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal
Published online on August 15, 2026
Abstract
{"p"=>"This study investigates the influence of digital entrepreneurship on tourism business performance in cross-border regions, focusing on the La Raya/A Raia border territory between Spain and Portugal. Using a qualitative multiple case study methodology, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 tourism entrepreneurs equally distributed across both countries. Through systematic analysis using ATLAS.ti, we examine how external factors (legal frameworks, market access, ecosystem barriers) and internal factors (organizational culture, human resources, technology adoption) condition digital transformation in this unique geographical context. Our findings reveal that the border effect simultaneously acts as a barrier and catalyst for digital innovation, creating distinctive dynamics not captured in traditional entrepreneurship models. The study identifies three emerging variables: Border Effect, Digital Sustainability, and Digital Resilience, which significantly influence business performance. The research contributes to cross-border contexts and provides practical insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and regional development agencies seeking to foster digital transformation in peripheral territories."}