Transnational entrepreneurial ecosystems: The perspectives of Finnish and Estonian born-global start-ups

Abstract

The entrepreneurial-ecosystem concept has recently gained renewed attention among entrepreneurship scholars, yet research in the fields of regional studies and international entrepreneurship has stayed notably silent on the role that incubating environments can have in driving entrepreneurial activities in developing rapidly internationalising born-global (BG) firms.In this exploratory study, we seek to further the discussion on the role that the entrepreneurial ecosystem can have in the research on international entrepreneurship affecting firm development. We assess entrepreneurial ecosystems in Finland and Estonia from the point of view of BG entrepreneurs and do so in a transnational-ecosystem context. Using a survey method and data analysis employing an analysis of variance (ANOVA), this study contributes to the literature on regional studies and international entrepreneurship by examining which of the transnational entrepreneurial ecosystem's structural elements are critical for start-ups during their developmental stages and how these elements are perceived differently depending on the characteristics of BG firms. The study thus enhances understanding of the interactions of the transnational entrepreneurial ecosystem and its role in supporting new ventures.

Toward an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research Program

“…Furthermore, there is conceptual and empirical ambiguity around where the boundaries of entrepreneurial ecosystems are. This opens up research on transnational entrepreneurs (Schäfer & Henn, 2018) and transnational entrepreneurial ecosystems (Velt et al, 2020). ‘Transnational entrepreneurs‘ (Portes et al, 2002; Schäfer & Henn, 2018) and ‘returnee entrepreneurs‘ (Kenney et al, 2013) form one of the largest groups in some of the most vibrant ecosystems.…”

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Mechanisms

“…This also opens up research on transnational entrepreneurs (Schäfer & Henn, 2018) and transnational entrepreneurial ecosystems (Velt et al, 2020). Transnational entrepreneurs (Portes, Haller & Guarnizo, 2002;Schäfer & Henn, 2018) and returnee entrepreneurs (Saxenian, 2006;Kenney et al , 2013;) form one of the largest groups in some of the most vibrant ecosystems.…”

Investigating the success factors of the Nordic entrepreneurial ecosystem – talent transformation as a key process

“…It is not only financial support that drives the positive development of the Nordic region, but the unique and established multi-country Nordic collaboration such as the Nordic Smart Government data initiative (Nordic Innovation Report, 2019) and the supra-national, inter-parliamentary and inter-governmental co-operation of the Nordic Council of Ministers, which set out to ‘create the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030’ and by combining forces to, inter alia, promote innovation and digital integration (Nordic Co-operation, 2021). Furthermore, by investigating neighboring ecosystems, we hope to add to the identified empirical gap for transnational entrepreneurial ecosystem research and multiscale studies (Alvedalen and Boschma, 2017; Velt et al, 2020; Wurth et al, 2021). To give one example of the social environment, Denmark, Finland and Sweden can be found to be leading most categories of the Better Life Index, which ‘compares the well-being across countries, based on eleven topics the OECD has identified as essential, in the areas of material living conditions and quality of life’ (OECD Better Life Index, 2019).…”