Technological Innovation and the expansion of Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

Abstract

To date much of the entrepreneurial ecosystems literature treated ecosystems as confined geographic locations with definitive boards. However, in the past decades, technological innovation and developments in social relationships (e.g., online platforms, social media, and the sharing economy) have extended and blurred the boundaries of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Thus, current research on entrepreneurial ecosystems often underestimates the reach and impacts of a given ecosystem. To remedy this, we advocate the use of a more holistic approach in modern entrepreneurial ecosystems frameworks which includes social relationships and technology, thus extending beyond geographical barriers. We discuss how technology has dissolved locational barriers and connected elements of ecosystems, how social relationships maximize advantages through greater resource access, and how the entrepreneurship ecosystem now exists on a plane that is both physical and cyber.

Experiential Learning in an Online Setting: How Entrepreneurship Education Changed During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…One particular issue is that information technology has expanded the entrepreneurial ecosystem to include resources beyond those based in a local ecosystem (Muldoon et al, 2022). For example, through online education, speakers do not need to go to the university to address the students but can do so virtually.…”

“…Nevertheless, the adoption and use of technologies has increased legitimacy, indicating that higher education will not entirely revert to old entrepreneurial learning methods (Muldoon et al, 2022). Indeed, as we have witnessed, pitch competitions may have increased the use of recording videos (such as a commercial) to sell their entrepreneurial vision to potential investors.…”

Cognitions affecting innovation among generation Z entrepreneurs: the external enablement of digital infrastructure

“…However, it should be noted that DIs cannot be designed and fostered through centralised, top-down control but should be evolved at least partially through architectural mechanisms that enable more effective solutions, especially in countries with lower levels of DIs (Bygstad and Øvrelid, 2020). Furthermore, despite rapidly growing the tremendous impact of digitalisation on a country's sustainable competitiveness (Muldoon et al, 2023) during the recent decade, there are still numerous challenges related to the legal framework regulating the disposition of digital possibilities and uncertainties concerning their acceptance (Fossen and Sorgner, 2018). So, more importantly, beyond providing financial support, policymakers should improve regulations allowing DIs to emerge, evolve and become widespread.…”

Relational models and entrepreneurship ecosystems

“…Over the last decade the academic literature has shown an increasing interest in entrepreneurial ecosystems due to their potential to harness the economic capabilities of local regions (cf., Acs et al, 2017;Muldoon et al, 2023;Qian and Acs, 2023). Drawing its origins from natural sciences, the concept of an ecosystem emphasizes the relationships between both living and nonliving entities in a living community (Tansley, 1935).…”

“…Over the last decade the academic literature has shown an increasing interest in entrepreneurial ecosystems due to their potential to harness the economic capabilities of local regions (cf., Acs et al. , 2017; Muldoon et al. , 2023; Qian and Acs, 2023).…”