Entrepreneurial ecosystem narratives and the micro-foundations of regional entrepreneurship

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip T Roundy ◽  
Mark A Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Narrative Theory ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Cultural Artifacts ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Develop Theory ◽  
Micro Foundations

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), the set of forces that generate and sustain regional entrepreneurial activity, are a growing focus of scholars and practitioners. Studies are beginning to draw attention to the role of cultural artifacts, including narratives, in the functioning of EEs. However, the mechanisms driving narratives’ effects on ecosystem participants are unexamined. The purpose of this article is to develop theory that explains the influence of EE narratives on how information is processed by audiences. It is theorized that differences among ecosystems can, in part, be explained by differences in the properties of the narratives that take hold in them. Specifically, propositions are developed about four properties that represent sources of variation among ecosystem narratives: their ability to capture attention, influence the cognitive and emotional encoding of information, and be memorable. Further, it is argued that the maturity of the EE influences the novelty and potency of narrative effects. By integrating theories of cognitive and social psychology, narrative theory, and entrepreneurship, this article advances our understanding of how narratives about EEs influence audiences.

Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem based on crowdfunding in Europe: the role of public policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Francesca Cicchiello
Keyword(s):  
Policy Coordination ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Equity Crowdfunding ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
New Perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the role that public policies may have in re-shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems and supporting the creation of functioning ecosystems based on new forms of finance, i.e. the equity-based crowdfunding. Design/methodology/approach The paper first identifies and examines the European policies developed to encourage the use of equity crowdfunding in entrepreneurial finance from 2003 to 2018. Then, it reviews national regulatory frameworks for crowdfunding, and analyses the barriers that constrain the growth of national crowdfunding markets. Finally, the paper addresses the issue of regulatory harmonisation by underlining its importance in building an entrepreneurial ecosystem based on crowdfunding. Findings Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem based on crowdfunding requires better policy coordination between European countries and readiness to take concerted actions. National authorities must look at the crowdfunding phenomenon from a European perspective and align their policies. European policymakers must import best practices from thriving national ecosystems by implementing less bureaucratic policies and with greater impact on entrepreneurial activity. Social implications In a post-crisis economy, the architecture of entrepreneurial ecosystems must evolve and focus on new financing alternatives ensuring the survival of successful businesses. Originality/value The paper offers a new perspective on entrepreneurship looking at the formation and development of new ecosystems around equity crowdfunding platforms. It also provides a relevant starting point for subsequent studies into this field.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial ecosystems: Founding figures and research frontiers in economic geography

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susann Schäfer ◽  
Heike Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Economic Geography ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Research Frontiers

Abstract The editorial for the special issue on entrepreneurial ecosystems summarizes the ongoing debate on the entrepreneurial ecosystem concept and portrays the backgrounds of founding figures of the concept. It traces the unique contribution of this issue with regard to recently published research. The contributions deal with the measurement of and the role of specific actors and institutions in entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Understanding Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachin A Meshram ◽  
A. M. Rawani
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Small Business Growth

Entrepreneurial ecosystems are a strategy that is designed to nurture economic development by promoting entrepreneurship, small business growth, and innovation. Ecosystems represent a new direction for entrepreneurship research that simultaneously increases knowledge of the complex contextual environments surrounding the entrepreneurship process, while at the same time providing useful contributions to policy debates around the role of high-growth entrepreneurship as a driver of regional economic development. This article reviews the concept evolution; different definitions and factors of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Additionally, it provides approaches of past contributions about entrepreneurial ecosystem. This article contributes to knowledge generation and provides further research directions. This study is an attempt to cover the different articles that exist on the entrepreneurial ecosystems.

scholarly journals Dynamic Capabilities and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: The Micro-Foundations of Regional Entrepreneurship

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip T. Roundy ◽  
Dutch Fayard
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Interconnected System ◽  
Entrepreneurship Research ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Developed Economies ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Micro Foundations

In pursuit of the beneficial outcomes of entrepreneurship, governments and regional development organisations enact policies to stimulate entrepreneurial activity. A growing focus of policymakers in emerging and developed economies is the promotion of entrepreneurial ecosystems: the interconnected system of forces that generate and sustain regional entrepreneurship. Despite intense interest in entrepreneurial ecosystems, the topic is under-theorised. Studies draw attention to the positive effects of entrepreneurial ecosystems on the creation and functioning of early-stage ventures; however, the specific mechanisms through which ecosystems influence entrepreneurs are not clear. To address this issue, we build on dynamic capabilities theory to create a theoretical framework that identifies a set of forces through which ecosystems influence entrepreneurship. We propose that in vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems entrepreneurs are more able to sense, seize and reconfigure resources and opportunities. Our theory contributes to entrepreneurship research, has implications for policymakers and practitioners, and suggests directions for future studies.

EXPRESS: Where are the entrepreneurs? A call to theorize the micro-foundations and strategic organization of entrepreneurial ecosystems

2021 ◽  
pp. 147612702110562
Author(s):  
Philip Roundy ◽  
Thomas Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Theory Development ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Mediating Mechanisms ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Entrepreneurship Theory ◽  
Micro Foundations

The “entrepreneurial ecosystem” (EE) has become the dominant metaphor in theories explaining how location-specific forces influence entrepreneurship. Despite the progress made by scholars studying EEs, in this essay we contend that the ecosystem metaphor has created an implicit tendency in entrepreneurship theory to emphasize macro-, ecosystem-level dynamics rather than the causal and mediating mechanisms linking entrepreneurs and their local ecosystems. To accompany the macro-dynamics focus in EE theory, we call for a micro-foundations approach that emphasizes the bi-directional connections between entrepreneurs’ strategizing and organizing activities and their ecosystems. We offer an agenda of theory development opportunities at the intersection of strategic organization and EEs.

A relational perspective on entrepreneurial ecosystems

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Pittz ◽  
Giles Hertz
Keyword(s):  
Vital Role ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Key Skills ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the entrepreneurship center (EC) in the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive because of complex interdependencies and dynamic relationships between and among its participants. While the university has often been highlighted as a key player in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the role of the EC within the university, despite its strategically influential position in stimulating entrepreneurship, has not received sufficient attention in scholarship. Design/methodology/approach The authors attempt to address this gap in scholarship using an expert Delphi panel approach to explore the vital role that the EC plays in ensuring the vibrancy of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. In doing so, the authors tackle the question of sustainability of the EC by outlining a structural framework and key job characteristics of the EC director so that it may thrive beyond the tenure of a transformational leader. Findings In analyzing the responses of Delphi panelists and reviewing the theoretical foundations, the authors have identified three areas for discussion: the question of whether the EC director ought to be an academic job, the key skills of an effective EC director and how to sustain the EC after the departure of a transformative leader. Considering the vital role that the EC plays in the university and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems, these questions have importance for the future of the practice of entrepreneurship. Originality/value The role of the EC in the larger regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and the impact of the EC director are subjects that have been largely unaddressed by current scholarship. This is despite the growing number of ECs, the growth of entrepreneurship as a discipline, the desire to foster entrepreneurial universities and the struggle to find suitable EC leadership talent. The EC is critical for bringing together various actors within the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem, creating and maintaining an entrepreneurial culture and fostering co-curricular learning to develop human capital, key benefits that the university provides on top of its research activity.

Rust belt or revitalization: competing narratives in entrepreneurial ecosystems

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip T. Roundy
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Rust Belt ◽  
Cultural Narratives ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Connected Set ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeEntrepreneurial ecosystems, the inter-connected set of organizing forces that produce and sustain regional entrepreneurial activity, are receiving heightened attention. This research finds that narratives about ecosystem participants discursively construct entrepreneurial ecosystems. However, the studies do not emphasize ecosystem and region-level narratives, focus on ecosystems in which narratives are uncontested and, thus, do not examine how ecosystem narratives compete with other regional narratives. The purpose of this paper is to develop a theory that explains how narratives and entrepreneurial ecosystems emerge and change in response to existing regional narratives.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal process model is proposed to explain how entrepreneurial ecosystem narratives emerge and compete with other regional narratives. To illustrate the phases of the model, archival data were collected from three entrepreneurial ecosystems where new narratives have had to overcome entrenched economic and cultural narratives.FindingsIt is theorized that entrepreneurial ecosystems emerge, in part, through discourse. For an entrepreneurial ecosystem to develop, a narrative must take hold that allows participants to make sense of the new entrepreneurial activities and the changes to the region. A four-phase process model is presented to explain how entrepreneurial ecosystem narratives compete with other regional narratives and, particularly, negative economic narratives.Originality/valueThe theory developed in this paper contributes to the research on entrepreneurial ecosystems and organizational narratives and generates practical implications for policymakers and entrepreneurs seeking to promote entrepreneurship as a tool for economic development.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial ecosystems in Poland: panacea, paper tiger or Pandora’s box?

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chay Brooks ◽  
Tim Vorley ◽  
Cristian Gherhes
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Practice Gap ◽  
Framework Conditions ◽  
Theory Practice Gap

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the role of public policy in the formation of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Poland. Design/methodology/approach The paper assumes a qualitative approach to researching and analysing how public policy enables and constrains the formation of entrepreneurial ecosystems. The authors conducted a series of focus groups with regional and national policy makers, enterprises and intermediaries in three Polish voivodeships (regions) – Malopolska, Mazowieckie and Pomorskie. Findings The paper finds that applying the entrepreneurial ecosystems approach is a challenging prospect for public policy characterised by a theory-practice gap. Despite the attraction of entrepreneurial ecosystems as a heuristic to foster entrepreneurial activity, the cases highlight the complexity of implementing the framework conditions in practice. As the Polish case demonstrates, there are aspects of entrepreneurial ecosystems that are beyond the immediate scope of public policy. Research limitations/implications The results challenge the view that the entrepreneurial ecosystems framework represents a readily implementable public policy solution to stimulate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial growth. Insights are drawn from three regions, although by their nature these are predominantly city centric, highlighting the bounded geography of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Originality/value This paper poses new questions regarding the capacity of public policy to establish and extend entrepreneurial ecosystems. While public policy can shape the framework and system conditions, the paper argues that these interventions are often based on superficial or incomplete interpretations of the entrepreneurial ecosystems literature and tend to ignore or underestimate informal institutions that can undermine these efforts. As such, by viewing the ecosystems approach as a panacea for growth policy makers risk opening Pandora’s box.

The evolution of entrepreneurial ecosystems and the critical role of migrants. A Phase-Model based on a Study of IT startups in the Greater Tel Aviv Area

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susann Schäfer ◽  
Sebastian Henn
Keyword(s):  
Future Development ◽  
Return Migration ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Phase Model ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Internal Dynamics ◽  
Tel Aviv ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Highly Skilled Migrants

AbstractUnlike existing studies on entrepreneurial ecosystems that focus on the internal dynamics of such systems, this article argues that entrepreneurial ecosystems are linked to one another through economically specialised migrants that trigger their emergence and positively affect their future development. To illustrate the relation between migration and the dynamics of entrepreneurial ecosystems, a model is presented that distinguishes three different phases: (i) the remigration of highly skilled migrants, (ii) ‘sunshine return migration’ and (iii) the outmigration of local entrepreneurs to foreign entrepreneurial ecosystems. Even though the model is based on both existing literature and our own empirical findings in the Tel Aviv IT entrepreneurial ecosystem, it is argued that its implications also hold true for other regional contexts.

scholarly journals Bio economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem patterns Case study for Romania - USH ProBusiness

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Costin Lianu
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Business Opportunities

This paper is investigating various patterns of entrepreneurial relations and engagements  that may help the shift to bio economy  and the ways they can facilitate entrepreneurial understanding and access to markets and business opportunities in this field. It also investigate the role of universities and cluster in transfer of knowledge towards bio economy and possibilities of interaction making a case study on USH ProBusiness in Romania. Main conclusion of the paper is that participation of  entrepreneurs, especially SME but also large companies in active  Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EE)   plays an essential role in transposing bio economy  from strategy to action but some regions may be well advanced  and other lagging behind. High trust and large EE in terms of networking are better fit to accelerate the knowledge and innovation process and universities may play a major role in this direction, as important catalyst.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document