Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Narratives and the Micro-Foundations of Regional Entrepreneurship

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Roundy ◽  
Mark Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Micro Foundations

EXPRESS: Where are the entrepreneurs? A call to theorize the micro-foundations and strategic organization of entrepreneurial ecosystems

2021 ◽  
pp. 147612702110562
Author(s):  
Philip Roundy ◽  
Thomas Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Theory Development ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Mediating Mechanisms ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Entrepreneurship Theory ◽  
Micro Foundations

The “entrepreneurial ecosystem” (EE) has become the dominant metaphor in theories explaining how location-specific forces influence entrepreneurship. Despite the progress made by scholars studying EEs, in this essay we contend that the ecosystem metaphor has created an implicit tendency in entrepreneurship theory to emphasize macro-, ecosystem-level dynamics rather than the causal and mediating mechanisms linking entrepreneurs and their local ecosystems. To accompany the macro-dynamics focus in EE theory, we call for a micro-foundations approach that emphasizes the bi-directional connections between entrepreneurs’ strategizing and organizing activities and their ecosystems. We offer an agenda of theory development opportunities at the intersection of strategic organization and EEs.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem narratives and the micro-foundations of regional entrepreneurship

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip T Roundy ◽  
Mark A Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Narrative Theory ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Cultural Artifacts ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Develop Theory ◽  
Micro Foundations

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), the set of forces that generate and sustain regional entrepreneurial activity, are a growing focus of scholars and practitioners. Studies are beginning to draw attention to the role of cultural artifacts, including narratives, in the functioning of EEs. However, the mechanisms driving narratives’ effects on ecosystem participants are unexamined. The purpose of this article is to develop theory that explains the influence of EE narratives on how information is processed by audiences. It is theorized that differences among ecosystems can, in part, be explained by differences in the properties of the narratives that take hold in them. Specifically, propositions are developed about four properties that represent sources of variation among ecosystem narratives: their ability to capture attention, influence the cognitive and emotional encoding of information, and be memorable. Further, it is argued that the maturity of the EE influences the novelty and potency of narrative effects. By integrating theories of cognitive and social psychology, narrative theory, and entrepreneurship, this article advances our understanding of how narratives about EEs influence audiences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document