Digital Nomadism: Remote Work Practices and Emerging Forms of Entrepreneurship

  • Muhammad Asif Khan Bhayangkara University
  • Ahmad Syamil Bina Nusantara (BINUS) University, Indonesia
  • Junaid Ali Saeed Rana Universitas Jakarta Internasional
  • Rino Subekti Institute of Business and Informatics (IBI) Kosgoro 1957
  • Noor ul Amin Deputy Director (Manuals and Publications) at the PPARC, Establishment Division, Islamabad
Keywords: Digital Nomadism,, Remote Work, Network Analysis,, Social Media Analysis,, Machine Learning,, Global Entrepreneurship,

Abstract

Digital nomadism has become a novel work style, transforming the global economy and jobs while providing entrepreneurial avenues for profit in a rapidly emerging digital economy. Digital nomadism promotes a new way of life that changes cultural attitudes towards and practices of traditional business; that is, workers are using technologies to facilitate remote work from anywhere in the world, even in traveling, rather than being fixed in one office. This mixed-method, exploratory research project investigates the emergence of digital nomadism and how it is redefining entrepreneurship through two inter-related studies: Study 1 focuses on the use of text mining, sentiment analysis, and social network modeling on a broad data layer; Study 2 includes 75 surveys and 28 interviews with entrepreneurs and freelancers about their observations and experiences. The results of this study show that digital nomadism is clustering around internet hubs, such as Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central locations in Latin America. The operations of digital nomad entrepreneurs and freelancers cluster around major themes such as freelance contracting, start-ups, selling online courses, co-working spaces, and lifestyle travel, all in industries founded on flexibility, creativity, innovation, or technology, education, sustainability, and networking.

Author Biographies

Muhammad Asif Khan, Bhayangkara University

Khan, Muhammad Asif is an emerging scholar in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, and organizational management. He holds a Master’s degree in Global Political Economy from Malmö University, Sweden, and a Master’s degree in Management from Bhayangkara University, Jakarta. He completed his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at BINUS University, Indonesia, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at INTI International University, Malaysia, further strengthening his academic and research expertise.
Dr. Khan serves as an Assistant Professor at Bhayangkara University Jakarta, where he actively contributes to teaching, research, and academic development. His research interests include digital transformation, organizational behavior, innovation ecosystems, sustainable entrepreneurship, and strategic management. He has published in reputable international journals such as Measuring Business Excellence, with several additional manuscripts under review in Scopus and Web of Science–indexed outlets.
Author’s contact detail: Email: baristerasi@yahoo.com

Ahmad Syamil, Bina Nusantara (BINUS) University, Indonesia

Syamil, Ahmad holds the position of faculty member at Bina Nusantara (BINUS) University, Indonesia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Indonesia in 1989 and an MBA from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas, USA, in 1993. He then received a scholarship from the United States to finish his PhD at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio, USA, in 2000.
His research interests include Operations and Supply Management, Industrial/ Manufacturing Management, Project Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. He has published in the Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, European Journal of Innovation Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, among others.
Author’s contact detail: Email: asyamil@binus.edu

Junaid Ali Saeed Rana, Universitas Jakarta Internasional

Rana, Junaid Ali Saeed holds the position of Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Jakarta Internasional and serves as Assistant Professor (Lektor) under the Indonesian Ministry of Education. He earned his Ph.D. in Management (Strategy & Growth), Summa Cum Laude in 2018 from an AACSB-accredited university, his Master of Computer Science (MCS) in 2000, and his Master of Business Economics (MBEcon) in 2001.
His research interests include digital marketing, business innovation, consumer behavior, technology adoption, digital transformation, institutional competitiveness, and higher education strategy. He has published in Scopus and Web of Science-indexed journals such as Innovative Marketing, International Journal of Data & Network Science, Problems and Perspectives in Management, Journal of Systems and Management Sciences, and Environmental Economics.
Author’s contact detail: Email: junaid.rana@uniji.ac.id

Rino Subekti, Institute of Business and Informatics (IBI) Kosgoro 1957

Subekti, Rino holds the position of Head of Informatics Engineering Program at Institute of Business and Informatics (IBI), Kosgoro 1957. He earned his Master's in Computer Science from Budiluhur University in 2012 and his Computer degree from Perbanas University in 2007. Their research interests include digital transformation. They have published in a national academic journal(s).
Author’s contact detail: Email: rino.subekti@gmail.com

Noor ul Amin, Deputy Director (Manuals and Publications) at the PPARC, Establishment Division, Islamabad

Amin, Noor ul holds the position of Deputy Director (Manuals and Publications) at the PPARC, Establishment Division, Islamabad. He completed his PhD in Human Resource Management from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, in 2024. He also holds a Master’s in Energy Management (2015), an MS in Economics (2014), and an MBA in Finance (2007).
Dr. Noor-ul-Amin’s research interests span a wide range of contemporary topics, including Smart Participation Contract Matrices for Islamic banks, dark-side and entrepreneurial leadership, workplace stress, artificial intelligence, organizational behaviour, emotional intelligence, business, and public administration. He has an extensive record of publications in reputable academic journals.
Author’s contact detail: Email: noorulamin82@gmail.com

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Published
2025-12-31
How to Cite
Khan, M. A., Syamil, A., Rana, J. A. S., Subekti, R., & Amin, N. ul. (2025). Digital Nomadism: Remote Work Practices and Emerging Forms of Entrepreneurship . Gadjah Mada International Journal of Business, 28(1), 25 - 46. https://doi.org/10.22146/gamaijb.v28i1.17133
Section
Articles