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The role of entrepreneurial support organisations in ecosystem sustainable transitions

Author

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  • Aveline Cloitre
  • Victor Dos Santos Paulino
  • Christina Theodoraki

Abstract

Although the literature on Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EEs) has shown conceptual interest in studying Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs), their role in EE sustainable transitions remains understudied. The primary objective of this study is to deepen the research dealing with ESO roles vis-à-vis the institutional pressure they undergo for sustainable entrepreneurship. We rely on an abductive qualitative study based on 45 semi-structured interviews. Our findings show ESOs perform two main roles towards EE sustainable transitions, first as sustainable entrepreneurship enablers, and second as EE sustainable transition interfaces, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable EEs. However, ESOs are undergoing a dual institutional pressure which generates institutional misalignments in their actions, in turn causing ineffective support solutions with risks of greenwashing. We contribute to the literature on EEs by demonstrating ESOs act as core actors of EE sustainable transitions, but also by highlighting their limits in this process due to the institutional context.

Suggested Citation

  • Aveline Cloitre & Victor Dos Santos Paulino & Christina Theodoraki, 2026. "The role of entrepreneurial support organisations in ecosystem sustainable transitions," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(6), pages 700-721, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:indinn:v:33:y:2026:i:6:p:700-721
    DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2026.2683378
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