The article studies evolution of the triple spiral concept as a mechanism of innovation development. Key stages of the model development were analyzed, from initial triple spiral (state – business – universities) to its extended variants, i.e. of four – (civil society included) and five-link one (natural environment is taken into account), as well as other interrelations that show various socio-economic processes and national specificity. The goal of the research is to describe elaboration of efficient model of innovation development based on evolution of the triple spiral concept and identification of roles of innovation ecosystem actors. Theoretical importance of the research deals with systematization of stages of spiral model working-out and development of structured role model that can make functions of innovation ecosystem participants more concrete. The article underlines practical importance of the role model of business-ecosystem for elaboration of concrete measures of state and corporate policy aimed at the development of innovation infrastructure and stimulation of cooperation.

Purpose This paper aims to investigate Canada’s social finance ecosystem through participatory system mapping, offering practice-oriented insights. It explores how ecosystem actors navigate complexity, mobilize resources and contribute to systemic adaptation – yielding lessons relevant to social economies in transition globally. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in systems thinking and complexity theory, this study integrates participatory and interpretive mapping techniques. Data sources include administrative records from the Investment Readiness Program (IRP), stakeholder engagements and publicly available policy materials. A suite of modular “mini-maps” traces financial and knowledge flows, institutional configurations and relational dynamics to reveal systemic leverage points. Findings The mapping process generated a replicable diagnostic framework that informed both program learning and broader ecosystem reflection. It surfaced role ambiguities, relational gaps and emergent alignments. Beyond its role as a funding mechanism, the IRP operated as a transitional catalyst – enhancing adaptive capacity, fostering cross-sector coordination and strengthening ecosystem resilience. Research limitations/implications While grounded in the Canadian context, findings have wider relevance for jurisdictions experimenting with inclusive finance architectures. However, emergent dynamics among informal or less-visible actors may be underrepresented in program-linked data. Practical implications The mapping tools and framing questions support strategic coordination, ethical decision-making and adaptive governance in complex funding systems – offering actionable insights for policymakers, funders and social purpose organizations. Originality/value This study introduces an original, systems-based methodology for mapping social finance ecosystems in real time. It contributes to international debates on participatory governance, institutional learning and socially just economic transition.

Purpose This paper investigates non-linear and interaction effects of causation and effectuation on entrepreneurial ventures’ performance, considering different levels of ecosystem support. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on an ambidexterity perspective and recent research on causation and effectuation, we theorize curvilinear and interaction effects of causation and effectuation on venture performance that depend on the level of ecosystem support (i.e. from the government, business associations and accelerators/incubators). We empirically test our hypothesized model with a cross-country dataset of 861 European entrepreneurial ventures using multivariate regression analysis. Findings We find that causation has a J-shaped relationship with venture performance. Furthermore, the interaction of causation and effectuation has a positive effect on performance. Both effects are stronger in environments with low levels of ecosystem support. Originality/value This research delivers novel insights into individual and interaction effects of two entrepreneurial decision-making logics (i.e. causation and effectuation) that were often investigated as opposing logics. The results contribute to the literature on causation, effectuation and venture performance and answer calls for more contextualization of entrepreneurship research by investigating the differential role of ecosystem support in the effectiveness of both decision-making logics. Additionally, it provides practical advice for policymakers, entrepreneurs and other ecosystem actors.

This study examines the structure of social capital among subsistence entrepreneurs and the implications for entrepreneurial development. Although most policies and research prioritize opportunity-driven ventures, subsistence entrepreneurship remains the most widespread—yet underexplored—form of business activity in low-income contexts. Using egocentric network data from 183 subsistence entrepreneurs in Bogotá, Colombia, three structural indicators—network size, homophily and weighted degree centralization—were assessed. A fuzzy clustering approach revealed three recurrent network configurations, plus a residual group, each associated with distinct capacities for access to resources, resilience and potential pathways to formalization. Findings demonstrate that subsistence entrepreneurs are far from homogeneous. Highly centralized and homogeneous networks are linked to greater vulnerability and isolation, whereas diverse and decentralized ties enhance adaptive capacity and institutional linkage. These results highlight the value of structural network analysis for identifying patterns of social capital that can inform differentiated strategies of support. For ecosystem actors—such as chambers of commerce, universities and public entrepreneurship agencies—these insights provide guidance for designing interventions tailored to the heterogeneity of subsistence entrepreneurship. By shifting attention to the structural underpinnings of informal ventures, this study contributes to advancing inclusive and context-sensitive entrepreneurial development.

While entrepreneurial ecosystems research has increasingly discussed inclusivity and systemic barriers facing women or racial minorities, it has largely overlooked how invisible inequalities restrict marginalized entrepreneurs. In this study, we focus on Dalits, a historically marginalized community in India facing invisible inequality (on caste lines), to examine how such inequalities manifest in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, turning the ecosystem into a non-cooperative space, and how marginalized entrepreneurs navigate such non-cooperative spaces. Drawing on qualitative interviews with entrepreneurs and other ecosystem actors within the Dalit community, we identify three ways in which invisible inequalities manifest in the entrepreneurial ecosystem: moral disqualification in economic opportunities , relational gatekeeping in entrepreneurial networks , and undermining social credibility . Furthermore, we find that marginalized entrepreneurs navigate this non-cooperative space by implementing three micro-practices: advocacy for targeted efforts , creation of alternate spaces , and clientelism . We contribute to research on the entrepreneurial ecosystem, entrepreneurship by marginalized groups, and caste in management.

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly influenced business environments, creating both opportunities and challenges for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to analyze the strategic position of SMEs in the context of digital transformation using a SWOT framework. A qualitative descriptive research method was employed, utilizing literature review and semi-structured interviews with SME owners and industry practitioners to identify key internal and external factors affecting digital adoption. The findings reveal that SMEs possess strategic strengths such as operational agility, strong customer relationships, and owner-driven decision-making that can support digital transformation initiatives. However, internal weaknesses including limited financial resources, low technological capability, and resistance to organizational change hinder implementation. External opportunities such as growing digital markets, government support programs, and accessible digital tools provide potential pathways for digital acceleration, while threats including cybersecurity risks, regulatory pressures, and increasing digital competition create strategic uncertainties. The study concludes that successful digital transformation for SMEs requires leveraging internal strengths, addressing capability gaps, capitalizing on emerging opportunities, and mitigating external risks through strategic planning. These insights provide valuable implications for SMEs, policymakers, and ecosystem actors in developing capacity-building frameworks and supportive policies to foster sustainable digital transformation.

Startup ecosystems across emerging economies, particularly in Nigeria, are increasingly recognized as engines of innovation, job creation, and inclusive growth. Yet, how ecosystem resources such as finance, policy support, infrastructure, and networks actually translate into startup success remains an open question. This study addresses that gap by examining the role of entrepreneurial competencies as a bridge between resources and performance. Using survey data from 300 Nigerian startups and analysed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the findings show that ecosystem resources directly improve startup success (β = 0.32, p < 0.01) but exert a more substantial influence on entrepreneurial competencies (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). Entrepreneurial competencies—defined here as a collection of skills, aptitudes, knowledge, and experiences enabling individuals to perform entrepreneurial tasks—also strongly predict startup success (β = 0.41, p < 0.001). Mediation tests reveal that competencies partially mediate the relationship between resources and success (indirect β = 0.19, p < 0.01), accounting for 37% of the effect. Together, the model explains 46% of the variance in startup success. The study advances the literature by offering a context-specific definition of entrepreneurial competencies and highlighting their critical role in converting ecosystem resources into sustainable outcomes. For policymakers and ecosystem actors, the implication is clear: resources alone are not enough; they must be coupled with intentional capacity-building for entrepreneurial skills.

This study investigates the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in strengthening social entrepreneurship ecosystems in Malang Raya, Indonesia. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, quantitative data were collected from 100–150 respondents representing key ecosystem actors, including faculty members, students, social entrepreneurs, supporting institutions, and government stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with LISREL software, while qualitative data from 15–25 key informants were analyzed thematically through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). The study integrates Resource-Based View (RBV), Triple Helix Model, and Social Capital Theory to develop a comprehensive framework. Findings demonstrate that HEIs significantly influence ecosystem sustainability, although some relationships show non-significant effects due to external factors and institutional readiness. The study recommends implementing collaborative strategies based on the triple helix model and strengthening social capital to enhance the social entrepreneurship ecosystem. This research contributes to advancing community-based entrepreneurship theory and provides practical implications for policymakers and institutional leaders in Indonesia.

Purpose This study aims to examine the influence of the regional social entrepreneurship ecosystem (RSEE) on the functioning of social enterprises (SEs) in India, with a specific focus on Kerala. By shifting the analysis focus from the national to the regional level, it addresses the limited understanding of how social entrepreneurs experience and interact with ecosystem actors. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative research methodology, drawing on in-depth interviews with 17 social entrepreneurs across the state of Kerala. Thematic data analysis was performed to identify patterns of interaction between SEs and diverse ecosystem stakeholders. Findings This study reveals that SEs are strongly supported and fostered by regionally embedded institutions, such as state and local governments, as well as by locally available actors. The findings emphasise that a strong RSEE is critical for SE growth and sustainability and that research and policy attention should shift from national to regional ecosystems. Originality/value This study contributes to the SE scholarship by focusing on the RSEE and examining how social entrepreneurs experience and engage with ecosystem actors at the local/regional level.

Purpose Social entrepreneurship ecosystems (SEEs) are communities of varied yet interdependent actors collaborating to impact the environment for social entrepreneurs. To date, there is limited understanding of the processes that drive their functioning. The purpose of this paper is to address this limitation by explaining how SEE relational governance processes strengthen relationships among actors. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper uses narrative theorizing to integrate ecosystem research with social enterprise literature and proposes an SEE relational governance process. Grounded in social capital theory, the authors explain how networks, norms and trust enhance relationships within SEEs. Findings The authors identify how diverse ecosystem actors shape governance processes in SEEs: Socializing fosters collaboration within the network; Strategizing aligns objectives through shared norms; and Legitimizing reinforces trust via transparent communication. Research limitations/implications This paper advances the theoretical understanding of SEE by linking ecosystem governance with social enterprises and social capital theory. The process offers insights into the role of networks, norms and trust in shaping relational ecosystem governance. Practical implications By articulating SEE relational governance, the authors give ecosystem builders, policymakers and support intermediaries a concrete checklist: expand and broker ties; co-create objectives that match those ties; and signal progress through shared impact metrics and credible partnerships. Originality/value This paper advances SEE research by offering a process-oriented approach for SEE relational governance. The authors identify Socializing, Strategizing and Legitimizing as the three interconnected processes through which ecosystem actors connect, align objectives and build trust.

Purpose This study aims to explore how governance mechanisms shape inter-organizational relationships within a nested entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) orchestrated by a large firm. It addresses the need to move from macro-level perspectives towards micro-level analyses, examining how a global firm in an emerging economy manages coordination, incentives and trust among diverse actors. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a longitudinal single-case study of a nested EE in China. Data were gathered through 21 semi-structured interviews, observations and extensive archival sources. A process research methodology, combining narrative and temporal bracketing strategies, was used to analyse the evolution of governance mechanisms across different phases of ecosystem development. Findings The study identifies a diverse set of governance mechanisms rooted in incentives, control and trust, which differ across actor types (service, capital, knowledge, policy) and evolve through three phases: exploration, growth and expansion. Governance shifts from hierarchical, control-oriented mechanisms towards more relational, trust-based approaches, with digital platforms increasingly facilitating coordination and transparency. Governance is shown to be co-shaped by the orchestrating firm, ecosystem actors and the institutional environment. Originality/value This single-case study contributes by offering a micro-level, inter-organizational perspective on governance within nested ecosystems, an underexplored configuration in emerging economies. It demonstrates that orchestrators deploy a portfolio of mechanisms that adapt to context, actor type and ecosystem stage. The study enriches theory by applying agency perspectives to EE governance and provides practical insights for firms and policymakers engaged in ecosystem orchestration, particularly in similar contexts.

ABSTRACT Today's food ecosystem meets the needs of customers for quick and simple dining options, making it more and more pertinent but also more competitive. Organisations are responding to customer demands for sustainability and healthy living by implementing suitable practices and processes to change the way customers use to obtain food. In this context, the technological advancements through the integration of online food delivery platforms during the Covid‐Pandemic have had a particularly disruptive effect, broadening restaurant outreach and facilitating home ordering and delivery. Online food delivery platforms have nowadays established deeper interconnections with different food ecosystem actors, resulting in novel operative practices in the food ecosystem. Although ecosystem research has already addressed the case of food, it still remains empirically unaddressed how online food delivery platforms disrupt food ecosystems and restructure inter‐firm coopetition. To cover this gap, we investigate the food ecosystem in Casablanca, which can be considered a revelatory case, due to the importance of hospitality and eating together in local culture. We present insights from interviews with different food ecosystem actors coping with the manner online food delivery platforms have revolutionised coopetition. Our study enables us to recognise the evolution of delivery services, and its impacts on all parties, with the integration of innovative digital technology and improved platform features, allowing us to visualise the new competitive and cooperative models, by focusing on the online food delivery platform's role in reshaping them, including challenges and also stakeholder approaches to fit in the new food ecosystem.

This paper presents an integrated framework for analyzing and developing regional innovation ecosystems through the combination of three complementary models: the METRIC Ecosystem Actor Model (MEAM v2), the Three-Layer Alignment Model (3LAM), and the Conceptual Actor Mapping (CAM) methodology. MEAM v2 provides a comprehensive taxonomy of innovation ecosystem actors organized by function (Innovation Development, Innovation Support, and Structural Support) and categorized into ten distinct actor types. The 3LAM model adds vertical dimension by distinguishing between Public Innovation Ecosystems (PIE), Business Innovation Ecosystems (BIE), and Innovation Management Systems (IMS). CAM operationalizes these frameworks through a four-step diagnostic process. The integration of these three models offers practitioners and policymakers a robust toolkit for ecosystem assessment, gap identification, and strategic intervention design. Based on extensive literature review and empirical testing with 1,682 firms across Swedish regions, this framework provides actionable insights for enhancing innovation ecosystem performance through improved actor alignment and orchestration.

Translated article] Qualitative study on the adoption and enhancement of the capacity-motivation-opportunity model for pharmaceutical care in outpatient pharmacy consultations in Spain.

The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in urban areas highlights the urgency of multidimensional interventions that go beyond conventional clinical approaches. Rapid urbanization, obesogenic environments, and unequal access to healthy food reinforce the social determinants of health, which systematically trigger metabolic risks. This study used qualitative methods through a review of current literature to identify patterns, structural determinants, and the effectiveness of community empowerment as a prevention strategy. The analysis shows that individual-based programs often fail due to a lack of environmental support, the dominance of ultra-processed foods, and economic barriers. Community empowerment has been shown to improve health literacy, strengthen positive social norms, and trigger active participation in advocacy for healthier environmental policies. The findings emphasize the need for public policy reforms to regulate the food industry, expand physical activity spaces, and direct budget allocations toward prevention efforts. Cross-sectoral integration, including urban planning, education, and active transportation, fosters the sustainability of interventions. Community capacity building has the potential to create stronger collective health resilience than top-down approaches. Therefore, the synergy between community empowerment and structural policies is considered a comprehensive strategy to control the epidemiological trends of diabetes in urban areas. This study highlights the need to reposition the role of communities as key actors in the urban health ecosystem.

ABSTRACT Teamwork is a critical competency for tertiary learners entering the workforce and various innovations have been used by institutions to train and develop learners’ teamwork. Many of these innovations are ad-hoc and do not scale but there are examples where such innovations scale institutional-wide. Using an ecological approach, the lens of a two-part co-creation model will be used to investigate the occurrence and scaling of an innovation – a teamwork project at Singapore Polytechnic (SP) in Singapore. SP’s journey will be described through the value orchestration platforms as well as the value co-creation process among various eco-system actors. The study will examine the inter-relationships among the different actors enabled by strategic platforms and purposeful facilitation that made the teamwork innovation possible. Moreover, based on the findings, a new integrated conceptual model of co-creation will be offered. Through using this ecological approach to the adoption and scale of innovations, the study provides contextual and situational understandings of scaling and identifies strategies that allow innovations to scale successfully.

Abstract Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive on the contributions of diverse actors, among whom entrepreneurs play a pivotal role. Interestingly, previous research on entrepreneurial ecosystems has remained silent on how to encourage entrepreneurs to “give back” to their ecosystem. This study probes the phenomenon of downward causation, aiming to unravel the motivations and mechanisms driving entrepreneurs to actively contribute to the evolution and stability of their ecosystems. Drawing on qualitative analyses of 32 in-depth interviews with startup entrepreneurs in Germany, our findings unveil the characteristics of contribution behavior and highlight the heterogeneous nature of entrepreneurs’ motivations. Reciprocal motivation emerges as a central driver, influenced by a complex interplay of interactions. Experiences with ecosystem actors shape diverse interpersonal relationships, impacting entrepreneurs’ gratitude and fostering a sense of affiliation. Individual characteristics, such as entrepreneurial passion and altruism, along with the situational context, can reinforce or constrain this motivation. These insights converge into a dynamic model, enhancing theoretical foundations of downward causation within entrepreneurial ecosystems.

ABSTRACT This study examines how scientists construct and manage their self-presentation on social media amid diverse audience expectations by analyzing data collected via semi-structured interviews (N = 24) with US, Canadian, and European scientists with over 10,000 followers on various social media platforms. A reflexive thematic analysis revealed that these scientists' self-presentation practices were broadly informed by three key, often overlapping, goals: to (a) humanize and challenge stereotypes of scientists, (b) build trust and credibility through authenticity, and (c) push back against exclusionary narratives within STEM. Each of these goals required negotiating with platform expectations, professional norms, and audience pressures. In foregrounding individual scientists as key actors in the science communication ecosystem, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how scientists’ self-presentation can become a dynamic site where both individual identity and public perceptions of scientific credibility, trust, and authenticity can be performed and co-constructed in real time. These performances are shaped by their own impression management goals, audience management strategies, as well as broader institutional, sociocultural, and platform norms and expectations.

This paper studies the co-evolution of quantum technology ecosystems across three European regions: the Basque Country, Finland, and The Netherlands. By examining the roles of ecosystem actors during the innovation path from research to commercialisation, the study aims to understand how these roles facilitate the emergence and development of quantum technologies. Using a comparative multi-case study approach, the study identifies key characteristics, collaborative dynamics, and challenges within these ecosystems. The findings highlight the importance of different ecosystem types, the significance of individual and organisational roles, and the need for dynamic interaction between technology innovation and industrial adoption. Practical implications are provided for academics, managers, and policymakers to enhance ecosystem development and competitiveness in the field of quantum technologies.

Employers purchase health benefits for more than 60% of the nonelderly population, making employers both important custodians of employee well-being and important actors in the health care ecosystem. Because employers typically have unilateral control over health and retirement benefits, the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), enacted in 1974, imposes fiduciary obligations on employers when they manage or administer benefits. We provide evidence, from a novel survey of respondents who administer or oversee health benefits for their companies, that many employers appear to neglect even the most basic of their fiduciary obligations to their employees. This neglect may help explain the poor performance of employer plans in controlling costs and providing access to health care, and it suggests that many employers may be vulnerable to liability from ERISA lawsuits.