THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The development of digital technologies leads to changes in existing business models and the creation of new ones, the introduction of new products and services, and the increase in the efficiency of business processes and therefore making enterprises more competitive. This is also reflected in the increase in the competitiveness of the local and national economy. Transformation of existing economies into digital represents a significant opportunity for the accelerated growth of the local and national economy, whose drivers are small and medium-sized enterprises. The digital economy in the European Union is growing much faster than the rest of the economy, which will lead to the creation of more jobs and the continuation of the digital transformation of the European economy. The Republic of Croatia, to a lesser extent, recognizes the potential that lies in the development of digital technologies and their impact on business activities. The role of the state in this regard is to ensure a high quality legislative and infrastructure environment for the development of digital business, to encourage the development of digital jobs, to strengthen financial instruments intended to finance the digitization of existing business or the development of new technology-based business, and to promote the importance of digital technologies. This would affect the attractiveness of investments in the technology sector, often referred to as the sector of above-average growth potential. The impact of technology on the business is inevitable, and for enterprises it is crucial to accept the emerging market conditions and dynamic business environment or invest in the digitization of business and the integration of new technologies into their business models. Enterprises that fail to adapt adequately to the digital environment will inevitably face a decline in competitiveness, and some of them may face the very survival on the market. The aim of this paper is to examine the use of digital technologies in business and to argue the importance of using them for the growth and development of an enterprise, and to emphasize the importance of digitization for local development and the strengthening of the national economy as a whole.