From Recipients to Drivers: Community–MSME Collaboration in Building a Digital Economic Ecosystem

Abstract

This study analyzes the transformation of the community’s role from beneficiaries into drivers of the digital economic ecosystem through collaboration with MSMEs. The study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 30 scientific articles published between 2020 and 2026, with the selection process based on PRISMA 2020 and the analysis conducted using the Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methodology (TCCM) framework and thematic synthesis. The findings indicate that digital empowerment develops through the stages of digital inclusion, digital literacy, digital capability, community participation, community–MSME collaboration, digital value co-creation, and the formation of a local digital economic ecosystem. This study develops the Community–MSME Digital Ecosystem Framework, which explains the transformation of the community’s position from recipient, participant, collaborator, and digital economic actor to ecosystem driver. The findings emphasize that community service needs to move beyond knowledge transfer toward capability development, collaboration, value co-creation, and ecosystem building. This framework offers an empowerment approach that positions communities and MSMEs as collaborative actors in creating value, strengthening self-reliance, and building a sustainable local digital economic ecosystem.