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Struggling with Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Author

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  • Michael Fritsch

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

Abstract

This article discusses the concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems. In particular, three propositions are made for further development of the concept. First, it is argued that entrepreneurial ecosystems should be regarded a part of the regional innovation system. Second, the scope of the concept should be expanded beyond high-performance start-ups and their founders to include the entire universe of "‘everyday" entrepreneurship. Third, the concept should account for the incumbent firms and the regional workforce. The paper then outlines main challenges of further development of the concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Fritsch, 2024. "Struggling with Entrepreneurial Ecosystems," Jena Economics Research Papers 2024-007, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    • Handle: RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2024-0067
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    File URL: https://oweb.b67.uni-jena.de/Papers/jerp2023/wp_2024_007.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrews, RJ & Fazio, Catherine & Guzman, Jorge & Liu, Yupeng & Stern, Scott, 2022. "The Startup Cartography Project: Measuring and mapping entrepreneurial ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(2).
    2. David B. Audretsch & Maksim Belitski, 2021. "Towards an entrepreneurial ecosystem typology for regional economic development: the role of creative class and entrepreneurship," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(4), pages 735-756, April.
    3. Coad, Alex & Karlsson, Johan, 2022. "A field guide for gazelle hunters: Small, old firms are unlikely to become high-growth firms," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 17(C).
    4. Alex Coad & Stjepan Srhoj, 2020. "Catching Gazelles with a Lasso: Big data techniques for the prediction of high-growth firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 541-565, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Coad, Alex & Srhoj, Stjepan, 2025. "Entrepreneurial ecosystems and the persistence of regional high-growth firm shares: A reply to van Dijk, Leendertse, Stam, and van Rijnsoever (2025)," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(10).
    2. Jun Du & Michail Karoglou & Anastasia Ri & Lin Zhang, 2026. "Knowledge spillovers, entrepreneurial ecosystems and the geography of high growth firms redux," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 34-97, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • O2 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy

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