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From place to space: the emergence and evolution of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in smart cities

Author

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  • Indu Khurana

    (Hampden-Sydney College)

  • Dev K. Dutta

    (University of New Hampshire)

Abstract

Drawing on the concepts of place and space in sociology, this research examines the process entrepreneurs adopt, in association with place-based enterprises, to address urban challenges and build sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in smart cities. We note that the process unfolds through problem identification at the entrepreneurial level, followed by resource mobilization at the place-based enterprise level, and culminating in scaling solutions across space at the ecosystem level. Based on an analysis of rich field data, we develop a process model of the emergence and evolution of a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this process model, the place-based enterprise acts as a lynchpin between urban stakeholders and entrepreneurs, helping generate sustainable smart city solutions. The journey from place to space sets in motion a process of “sequential specificity,” ranging from high to low, across problems, resources, and solutions. This process leads the sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem to evolve, based on scaling and adopting spatially flexible solutions. Our study has important implications for both entrepreneurs and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Indu Khurana & Dev K. Dutta, 2024. "From place to space: the emergence and evolution of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in smart cities," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 541-569, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:62:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-023-00765-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-023-00765-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sustainable entrepreneurship; Sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems; Place; Place-based enterprises; Smart city;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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