Understanding digital footprints as digital cultural artifacts involves viewing them not merely as passive data but as dynamic constructs that carry cultural, social, and economic value (Lockwood & Soublière, 2022). They are imbued with meaning that can be derived from the socio-cultural contexts from which they emerge and the entrepreneurial narratives they shape (Lockwood & Soublière, 2022; Radu-Lefebvre et al., 2021). When framing these footprints as digital cultural artifacts, I draw from the notion that culture is comprised of symbols, stories, rituals, and values shared among members of a group or society (Radu-Lefebvre et al., 2021). In the digital age, these elements manifest differently. Entrepreneurs’ online narratives, their engagement with audiences, the images they share, and the content they produce all contribute to this modern cultural milieu (Lockwood & Soublière, 2022). These artifacts are powerful in shaping perceptions and in turn can influence stakeholders’ decisions, from investors and customers to potential collaborators (Lounsbury & Glynn, 2001, 2019; Navis & Glynn, 2011). Hence, a positive and coherent digital footprint can amplify an entrepreneur’s credibility, attract resources, and facilitate collaborations (e.g., Hedberg & Lounsbury, 2021; Kimmitt et al., 2023; Taeuscher et al., 2022). Conversely, a disjointed or negative digital footprint can detract from perceived legitimacy, making stakeholders wary of association (c.f., Chan et al., 2016; Chen & Wang, 2022; Sun & Shen, 2021). Therefore, my research aims to explore the power of digital cultural artifacts in shaping perceptions, influencing decisions, and constructing identities. By analyzing the digital cultural artifacts entrepreneurs construct and share online, I seek to unveil the ways in which these artifacts resonate with various stakeholders, potentially affecting outcomes such as funding, customer engagement, and strategic alliances.

​

Why studying digital cultural artifacts of social entrepreneurs is particularly important:

1. Social entrepreneurs navigate dual missions: generating profit and creating social value (Austin et al., 2006). This unique positioning means that their digital cultural artifacts do not only reflect business decisions, but also their social mission. As such, studying these artifacts offers insights into how social entrepreneurs intertwine profit and purpose.

2. Social entrepreneurs often engage with a broader and more diverse range of stakeholders, from NGOs and community organizations to policymakers and activists (Bacq & Lumpkin, 2021; Ibáñez et al., 2022). Each of these stakeholders can have varied expectations and values. Digital cultural artifacts can provide clues about how social entrepreneurs communicate with, balance, and sometimes prioritize among these diverse groups (Barberá-Tomás et al., 2019; Chliova et al., 2020).

3. While all entrepreneurs need legitimacy, social entrepreneurs, given their promise of social impact, face an even higher bar. Any inconsistencies in their digital footprints could erode trust faster (Chliova et al., 2020). A disjointed narrative could make stakeholders skeptical not just of the business viability but also of the authenticity of their social mission (Penz et al., 2022).