Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

This book emerged from a need in the field of entrepreneurial ecosystems to link foundational theories with practical realities faced by entrepreneurs as they acquire and manage resources when creating a new firm. It also seeks to address how different agents of the entrepreneurial ecosystems interact to facilitate new venture formation. The book’s core thesis posits that a comprehensive grasp of resource dynamics, including acquisition and management and flow, is essential for cultivating sustainable entrepreneurial environments that can significantly reduce the failure rate of startups. The book seeks to provide answers to how resources within these ecosystems—financial, social, and human—are acquired and how these processes impact the success or failure of new enterprises.

Through a combination of case studies, theoretical analysis, and policy recommendations, the work distinguishes itself by integrating rigorous academic theory with practical, real-world application. This dual approach not only resolves current ambiguities regarding the roles and effects of different ecosystem participants, but also reveals the frequently overlooked narratives of interdependence and collaboration that are crucial for fostering sustainable entrepreneurial settings.

Dr. Parisa Baig is a Lecturer in Strategic Entrepreneurship at the University of Greenwich (London, England). Her research interests encompass a wide array of topics such as entrepreneurship, institutional change, organisational behaviour, as well as entrepreneurial teams and ecosystems. Her work has been presented at conferences such as the British Academy of Management Conference and the European Group for Organizational Studies Colloquium.

Dr. Christina Theodoraki is Full Professor in Entrepreneurship at IAE, Aix-Marseille University (Aix-en-Provence, France). Her recent research deals with entrepreneurial support organizations, circular entrepreneurial ecosystems, and knowledge-driven ecosystems. She is an Editor of Small Business Economics and an Associate Editor of Journal of Small Business Management. She also co-edited the book Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Cities and Regions (2024, Oxford University Press).

Dr. Andrew Godley is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Sussex Business School (Brighton and Hove, England). His research is on the history of entrepreneurship and innovation, especially in the food and pharmaceuticals sectors. His research has been published in Journal of Management Studies, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Journal of International Business Studies, Business History and Business History Review. Andrew was formerly the Pro-Dean of Henley Business School and the Academic Director of the Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Maksim Belitski is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Henley Business School (Greenlands, England). His research interests lie in the area of entrepreneurship, self-employment, market entry, firm innovation and regional economics, with a particular focus on entrepreneurial ecosystems and the knowledge spillover of innovation. He is an editor of the Small Business Economic Journal and a member of the editorial review board for the Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Journal.

Dr. Elizabeth Montoya-Martinez is the Partner Curriculum Leader in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at the University of Northampton (Northampton, England). Her research interests are innovation, specifically new product development and knowledge management, and entrepreneurship especially entrepreneurial ecosystems, new venture grow, strategic entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial teams. Her research in entrepreneurship has been presented in ESIAM, BAM, ISBE, BABSON, ACERE, EURAM, ALTEC, among others, with two best papers.