Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Research Articles

Three steps for universities to become entrepreneurial: a case study of entrepreneurial process and dynamic capabilities

AbstractEntrepreneurial universities play a crucial role in supporting regional economy and addressing social challenges. Despite the significant contributions in the entrepreneurial university literature, little is still known about the process of entrepreneurial idea development, validation and commercialisation within the university. Inspired by this gap in the knowledge transfer literature we draw on three pillars of entrepreneurial university–teaching, research and commercialisation and explain how entrepreneurial process set up to nurture entrepreneurial opportunities within university develops dynamic capabilities that shape product commercialisation at university. We use the case study of the Henley Centre of Entrepreneurship at University of Reading in the United Kingdom, secondary data sources and sixteen interviews with university ecosystem stakeholders to explain the role of dynamic capabilities in entrepreneurial process for university to become entrepreneurial. The process which describes the entrepreneurs journey comprises five stages could become part of entrepreneurial university curricular and embedding university practices into regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Designing a framework for entrepreneurship education in Chinese higher education: a theoretical exploration and empirical case study

Entrepreneurship education (EE) has rapidly evolved within higher education and has emerged as a pivotal mechanism for cultivating innovative and entrepreneurial talent. In China, while EE has made positive strides, it still faces a series of practical challenges. These issues cannot be effectively addressed solely through the efforts of universities. Based on the triple helix (TH) theory, this study delves into the unified objectives and practical content of EE in Chinese higher education. Through a comprehensive literature review on EE, coupled with educational objectives, planned behavior, and entrepreneurship process theories, this study introduces the 4H objective model of EE. 4H stands for Head (mindset), Hand (skill), Heart (attitude), and Help (support). Additionally, the research extends to a corresponding content model that encompasses entrepreneurial learning, entrepreneurial practice, startup services, and the entrepreneurial climate as tools for achieving the objectives. Based on a single-case approach, this study empirically explores the application of the content model at T-University. Furthermore, this paper elucidates how the university plays a role through the comprehensive development of entrepreneurial learning, practices, services, and climate in nurturing numerous entrepreneurs and facilitating the flourishing of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. This paper provides important contributions in its application of TH theory to develop EE within the Chinese context, and it provides clear guidance by elucidating the core objectives and practical content of EE. The proposed conceptual framework serves not only as a guiding tool but also as a crucial conduit for fostering the collaborative development of the EE ecosystem. To enhance the robustness of the framework, this study advocates strengthening empirical research on TH theory through multiple and comparative case studies.

Comparative Analysis of the Determinants of Entrepreneurial Activities in the Middle East and Latin America

This study aims to contribute to advancing the understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystems, Latin American development, and the evolution and future perspectives of the Middle East. It used a cross-sectional research design and quantitative data with 750 observations from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, specifically the National Experts Survey and the Adult Population Survey. The results were analyzed by the Partial Least Squares Technique (PLS-SEM) by grouping countries into two balanced samples of underexplored regions: the Middle East and Latin America. The two regions, Latin America and the Middle East, have diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems; each condition impacts entrepreneurial activities in different ways. In Latin America, the most significant variable is “Physical Infrastructure”, while in the Middle East, the most significant determinants are “Commercial and Professional Infrastructure” and “Entrepreneurship Culture”. This study shows that to support entrepreneurial activities, each region requires different settings for their entrepreneurial ecosystems. It contributes to the literature on regional entrepreneurial ecosystems and to less explored regions to advance our understanding, which will drive better policies and actions.

Exploring Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Smart Specialization: A Text Mining and Network Analysis Approach

Exploring Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Smart Specialization: A Text Mining and Network Analysis Approach

Functions of agents in regional entrepreneurial ecosystem in the conditions of digital transformations

The article discusses the role and functions of agents in the context of entrepreneurial ecosystem development. Theoretical aspects of agent role have been reflected and main functions that agents perform in entrepreneurial ecosystem of region highlighted. The article highlights importance of agents as key players that ensure functioning of ecosystem. The research methodology is based on the methods of assessing fulfillment of agent functions by means of ranking analysis in the context of the proposed indicators. A comparative assessment of agents’ functioning in entrepreneurial ecosystems of regions has been carried out in the Republic of Tatarstan, the Chelyabinsk Region, the Tomsk Region, the Trans-Baikal Territory, and the Amur Region. The analysis of regional ecosystems in comparison with the reference region (Tatarstan) made it possible to identify dysfunctions in the work of agents in underdeveloped regions. It has been revealed that functions of supporting start-ups and research and innovation functions are not fully implemented in some regions.

The emergence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem: the interplay between early entrepreneurial activity and public policy in the Korean online gaming industry

As drivers of economic growth, entrepreneurial ecosystems are an important focus of research. We propose a new theoretical perspective, in which the formation of entrepreneurial ecosystems can be tied the provision of pre-entry capabilities and complementary assets that are generic to participants within a regional entrepreneurial ecosystem but difficult to access to firms outside it. We apply this framework through a study of the formation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem focused on online games in South Korea. Through comparative research, we show that access to pre-entry capabilities was widely available across the online gaming industry, but that Korea was unique during the late 1990s in creating infrastructure policies to provide widespread access to broadband internet, which became an important complementary asset for Korean firms. A focus on mechanisms by which value drivers become available to entrepreneurs within a region is a promising approach to explain the formation of entrepreneurial ecosystems.

From Direct SMEs’ Support to Entrepreneurship Policy in Russia: Why Do Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Matter?

From Direct SMEs’ Support to Entrepreneurship Policy in Russia: Why Do Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Matter?

University as an opportunity space enabler in a regional entrepreneurial ecosystem

ABSTRACT Universities are widely recognized as key players in entrepreneurial ecosystems that support entrepreneurial activities to create economic and social value in the region. Previous research has increased our understanding about the role of universities contributing to regional economic development and entrepreneurship through knowledge transfer mechanisms, increasing human capital and innovation activity. However, little is known about the contribution of universities to the actual entrepreneurial processes in spatial context. Utilizing the case study approach, this study examines university as an ecosystem actor, focusing particularly on the enabling role of universities in entrepreneurial opportunity formation. As a result, this study provides a conceptualization of four different entrepreneurial opportunity spaces, bounded by the varying degrees of knowledge applicability and opportunity proximity. This article contributes to research on regional entrepreneurial ecosystems and on the role of universities as ecosystem actors contributing to research knowledge-based entrepreneurial opportunity formation for innovative entrepreneurship.

Figuring it out: configurations of high-performing entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe

ABSTRACT Is there only one type of successful entrepreneurial ecosystem? This paper applies qualitative comparative analysis to identify and analyse configurations of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe. We test two rivalling causal logics: a completeness logic stating that all entrepreneurial ecosystem elements need to be present and the weakest link is the most important constraint, and a substitutability logic arguing that elements are substitutable. High entrepreneurship outputs can be realised with different entrepreneurial ecosystem configurations. However, focusing on regions with the highest entrepreneurship outputs, our results point at the importance of a complete entrepreneurial ecosystem.

ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IN THE TRANSITION ECONOMY: THE CASE OF SOUTHERN REGION OF UKRAINE

This paper aims to analyse and evaluate the state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of international business in the transition economy based on the evidence of the southern region of Ukraine. The tasks of the study are (i) to identify the presence of components of the international business ecosystem and their quality depending on the level of development of the transition economy (policy, markets, finance, human capital, culture, support); (ii) to assess the current state of the components of the international business ecosystem; (iii) to identify constraining factors for the functioning of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem for their further consideration when adjusting the trajectory of the development of the transition economy. The model of Isenberg was used to observe the structure of the ecosystem. The international ratings (KOF Index of Globalization, Global Competitiveness Index, Doing Business, etc.), the data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, national laws, etc. were used for the qualitative measurement of the ecosystem performance. An online survey was conducted to assess the current state of the ecosystem and to identify the restraining factors of its functioning. The research results demonstrate that all domains of an international business ecosystem are in the process of formation. 80% of respondents rated domains’ performance at three points on a 5-point scale, indicating poor functioning the ecosystem. The respondents of the survey represent several industries but mostly agro-industrial complex. The restraining factors are ineffective government policy; business-unfriendly legislation; limited access to the infrastructure; insecurity of property rights; inefficient business support systems, etc. The research results show that almost all components of the ecosystem are less efficient in Ukraine than in Europe, except for the entrepreneurs’ intentions of networking and collaboration development. The paper proposed original research on the institutional context of the ecosystem in the transition economy. The study is built on the idea of the specific regional peculiarities of entrepreneurial ecosystems and the impact of transformational processes of the economy of the country. The results of the study can be used as a basis for a scientific focus on the policy of improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The article empirically expands the knowledge of entrepreneurial ecosystems and shows the potential and benefits of a complete integrated ecosystem for overall regional development.

Thematic evolution, emerging trends for sharing economy business model research, and future research directions in the post‐COVID‐19 era

This study explored the scientometrics and current dynamics of the area of sharing economy business models (SEBMs). Using bibliometric analysis, it examined a collection of 561 studies from the Web of Science and Scopus databases to detect the thematic evolution, strategy map, and emerging trends in SEBM literature as well as to forecast research directions. The results showed that SEBMs is a relatively new multidisciplinary research area that grew rapidly between 2014 and 2019; since then, the publication growth has flattened. Research on SEBMs currently focuses on sustainability, sustainable development, tourism, new technology application, and business management, with less attention given to social effects and public acceptance, determinants of success, and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. The thematic analysis revealed that sustainability‐oriented themes are at the center. Six emerging trends were detected: (1) industry‐oriented research such as transportation, tourism, accommodation, energy, and others, (2) sustainability‐oriented studies, including social, environmental, and economic perspectives, (3) sustainable organizational development concerning social acceptance, trust, legitimacy, and satisfaction, (4) new technology‐oriented and innovation‐focused studies such as blockchain, big data, social media, and e‐platforms, (5) country‐ and region‐oriented studies, particularly for emerging countries, (6) effects of entrepreneurial ecosystem factors on SEBM development. Based on the current thematic map and evolution, this paper suggests several critical research directions. The paper provides (1) providing a one‐stop literature overview on SEBM area for two time slices: fast‐growing‐initiation phase (before COVID‐19) and transitional phase (during COVID‐19), (2) identifying research focuses, emerging trends, and gaps, (3) developing novel research avenues for investigation, and (4) aligning expected contributions to the area. By providing new knowledge, the research theoretically contributes to many disciplines given that SEBM studies were found to be multidisciplinary. It also has numerous implications for policymakers and practitioners.

Закономерности размещения цифрового предпринимательства в регионах России

Introduction: the implementation of the “Digital Economy” national program has an impact on business sector development both in Russia and in the regional aspect. The structural elements of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems are designed to promote the development of digital entrepreneurship. It has been hypothesized that the ecosystem substitutes influence on the increment of regional economic performance due to the digital sector differs in industrial and non-industrial types of regions. Objectives: to determine the growth points placement patterns for digital entrepreneurship in the regions as a whole, as well as by types (industrial and others), depending on the impact of factors in the regional environment. Methods: statistical groupings, comparison and matching, correlation and regression analysis, econometric modeling. Results: the data on 85 subjects of the Russian Federation for 2018–2021 have been examined, revealing a strong and noticeable correlation between the number of organizations in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector and the indicators of digital infrastructure, as well as strong correlation between financial security and the number of regional projects in the field of end-to–end technologies. Regression models have been built demonstrating the growth of the share and growth rates of production volumes in ICT sector and e-commerce companies in various types of regions. Conclusions: the above hypothesis has been confirmed stating that the region’s specialization has a significant impact on the features and pace of digital entrepreneurship development. Industrial regions do not demonstrate outpacing growth of digital businesses due to a significant time lag until the moment the production volumes increase resulting from the introduction and use of digital technologies manifests itself. Industrial regions show a high sensitivity to the development of scientific and technological infrastructure and have a more active demand and consumption of digital technologies. In other regions show a faster developing e-commerce and the service sector using digital platforms. Digital economy growth is boosted by the stimulation of IT projects and the state of the scientific and educational environment in these regions.

Unpacking the process of resource allocation within an entrepreneurial ecosystem

• We reveal how the process of resource allocation, mobilization and circulation unfolds in entrepreneurial ecosystems. • We offer a “resource-dynamic” account of entrepreneurial ecosystems, complementing the “resource-provision” perspective in extant literature. • We show how resource dynamics may be alternative sources of sustained ecosystem competitiveness ( ecosystem health ), complementing the traditional resource bundling as optimal “recipes” in extant literature. • We shed light on the reciprocities between regional entrepreneurship and regional resources. • We offer implications for governments and entrepreneurs in guiding policy initiatives towards, and measuring the long-term health of, regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. While entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) are often regarded as spatially bounded resource allocation systems that allocate and mobilise resources for new venture creation, less is known on the underlying process of resource allocation that sustains the development and prosperity of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Following an inductive approach, we conducted a qualitative study on Shenzhen's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our findings show that the process of resource allocation in an entrepreneurial ecosystem unfolds in four interconnected themes - resource endowments, resource use, resource dynamics and enabling conditions of resource dynamics. Based on these dimensions, we offer an integrated process model revealing how an entrepreneurial ecosystem mobilises and allocates resources over time. Complementing the “resource-provision” account in extant literature that illuminates the optimal “recipes” of ecosystem resources as sources of competitiveness, we offer a “resource-dynamic” account, which addresses how effective resource allocation, mobilisation and circulation within and outside of the ecosystems may be alternative sources of sustained growth for entrepreneurial ecosystems. We also contribute to the regional entrepreneurship literature by shedding light on the feedback impacts of new venture creation activities on regional resources. Our findings offer implications for governments and entrepreneurs in guiding policy initiatives towards, and measuring the long-term health of, regional entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Open creative labs as functional infrastructure for entrepreneurial ecosystems: Using sequence analysis to explore tempo-spatial trajectories of startups in Berlin

• Open creative labs are explored as functional infrastructure to entrepreneurial ecosystems. • Combines rich tempo-spatial data from corporate registers with qualitative data. • Sequence analysis is a used to benchmark the functions of open creative labs in entrepreneurial ecosystems. • Coworking spaces and incubators help startups transition between stages. • Seed accelerators facilitate connections between regional ecosystems through inter-ecosystem ties. By analyzing the tempo-spatial trajectories of startups, this paper proposes a new method to benchmark functions in entrepreneurial ecosystems based on longitudinal data. To demonstrate this novel method, a regional case study of the ecosystem infrastructure in Berlin is considered, for which tempo-spatial trajectories of startups are analyzed with quantitative sequence methods. It is explored empirically how open creative labs such as co-working spaces or seed accelerators supply core functions within entrepreneurial ecosystems based on the aspects of regional integration and trans-local connection. Open creative labs do not only provide important resources for startups and entrepreneurs but also have systemic functions within entrepreneurial ecosystems. Namely, they provide conditions under which critical links within regional entrepreneurial ecosystems can be formed and they facilitate inter-ecosystem ties between regions.

지역 창업생태계 모니터링 지표 개발

In this study, we aim to introduce a methodological approach to develop indicators to monitor a regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. Based on prior literature survey, we first selected the following six key dimensions - talent, market, finance, support, specialization, and performance. Then, we shifted our attention to deriving 41 indicators that consist of those six dimensions via literature review and focus group interview(FGI). Lastly, among those indicators, we opted for 14 indicators by adopting the Delphi method with 20 experts and subsequently incorporated 8 more indicators if they were considered inevitably essential. As a result, we were able to propose 22 indicators in total.
 Then, by employing the indicators developed above, we tried to measure the regional startup ecosystem of Seoul. As a result, while the numerical values of talent, market, finance, support, and specialization improved in 2020 compared to those in 2019, the numerical value of performance diminished in the same period. These findings indicate that the startup ecosystem of Seoul suffered from inefficiency in the reference time points. Although the indicators proposed have several limitations unless data are consistently collected over time, they can be commonly used when comparing one region with others both domestically and globally. Therefore, various types of comparative studies attracting researchers' attention can be conducted in the future.

Business Incubators in Russia: 2020 Survey in International Comparative Perspective

Small innovative and venture enterprises face significant financial and managerial difficulties in the early stages of their development, which makes it necessary to provide them with sufficient support at the start. Different governments choose different ways to solve this problem. In Russia, in the 2010s, an emphasis was made on creating business incubators as SME support infrastructure and key players (as well as a potential driver) of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Nevertheless, the latest official data shows that the number of business incubators in Russia has gradually declined over the past five years, making it a critical phenomenon to analyze. We conducted a comprehensive survey among a selection of Russian business incubators.Comparing the world BI average characteristics (secondary data from InBIA, International Business Innovation Association) and UBI Global (the data obtained through Surveys conducted in 2012, 2016, and 2020) helps us understand the actual state and dynamics of business incubation in Russia. The surveys contain a wide range of questions covering essential aspects of business incubators' activities, including BI program, clients, environment, effectiveness, and finance.The study shows that business incubators in Russia have undergone several external positive changes, including increased square space, staff quantity, the average annual number of residents, the annual budget, etc. At the same time, the total number of business incubators also significantly dropped, which means that all of the above positive changes do not reflect the growth of the business incubation market and the scaling of the most effective structures; on the contrary, it is an optimization.As a result of the study, we formulate several additional questions for future research and study to understand better the challenges business incubators currently face in Russia, the reasons for their recent consolidation, and possible ways out.

Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: The case of the Basque Country

By using the concept of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems, the article analyses the case of the Basque Country (Spain). Specifically, the paper focuses on the analysis of two ecosystems: machine tool and smart mobility. While the former serves as a reference of a consolidated ecosystem, the latter represents an incipient and emerging activity in the region. Based on qualitative methodologies and stakeholder’s participation it presents a description of each of the ecosystems described focusing on socio-economic aspects in a context of digital transformation. In addition, the article includes some policy implications and conclusions that can contribute to ecosystem development. In particular, the ability to extract knowledge that can be transferred from one ecosystem to another.

Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic and Developing a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: The Theory and Practice of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policies in China.

Under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vitality of start-ups has been continuously suppressed, their income has been decreasing, and overall economic development has gradually declined. At this time, the government, as an effective subject, should present its due responsibility to make entrepreneurship more sustainable and form a sustainable entrepreneurship ecology that can cope with risks. This paper takes the innovation policy theory and practice from research regarding China’s COVID-19 cases. One example is exploring the formation of the government’s innovation entrepreneurship policy and its mechanism within industrial cluster theory. Furthermore, we explore the analysis of the practice situation and try to solve the obstacles in the process of sustainable development through the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and platform system building. We hope to find an acceptable way for the sustainable development of entrepreneurial ecological theory research and provide effective research and practical support.

Exploring the Regional Determinants of the Emergence of Social Enterprises in South Korea: An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Perspective

South Korea has experienced a rapid increase in the emergence of social enterprises that aim to address various social problems. However, little is known about the conditions that can affect the emergence of social enterprises at the regional level. This study examined the regional factors that influence the establishment of social enterprises using a panel dataset of observations on 17 metropolitan cities and provinces in South Korea from 2012 to 2019. The appearance of social enterprises in regional entrepreneurial ecosystems was found to be associated with the market, government, networks, financial resources, and human capital. We also found that the determinants of their emergence within South Korea’s social enterprise ecosystem vary based on their level of development and purpose. Based on the results, we suggested several policy implications and suggestions.

Science parks as key players in entrepreneurial ecosystems

This study explores the crucial role of modern science parks in the creation, development, and management of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Thus, it has developed a conceptual framework for analysing the role that science parks could have in developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem. We interviewed several stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem oriented towards sustainable production. The study design comprises three levels of analysis: 27 nodes, 7 themes, and 3 aggregate dimensions. While a science park can play a key role in creating, developing, and managing an entrepreneurial ecosystem, we find that its success largely depends on the level of cooperation among the key stakeholders. This study provides new insights into (i) how we can better comprehend the emergence of linkages to develop entrepreneurial ecosystems and (ii) how science park managers and regional policymakers can better examine the role of key stakeholders in envisioning, configuring, and enabling regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. When studying science parks, it is important to use a holistic approach, focusing on the key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem – science parks and their stakeholders – and knowing how and when to intervene.