Friday 29 November 2019

Entrepreneurial ecosystems and public policy in action: a critique of the latest industrial policy blockbuster

an article by Ross Brown (University of St Andrews, UK) and Suzanne Mawson (University of Stirling, UK) published in Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society Volume 12 Issue 3 (November 2019)

Abstract

Efforts to develop entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) have proliferated in recent years, marking it out as the latest industrial policy ‘blockbuster’.

This article reports the findings from the first comprehensive empirical analysis of EE policy approaches. It posits a basic typology of different policy frameworks deployed under the ecosystem rubric.

The findings suggest the concept is fraught with conceptual ambiguity and is predominantly (and rather crudely) used to promote ‘more’ entrepreneurship.

The research suggests the concept is a ‘messy metaphor’, open to wide-ranging misinterpretation and misuse by policymakers.

In terms of recommendations, eradicating network failures, avoiding crude policy isomorphism and tailoring bespoke interventions to the specific nature of EEs are viewed as key policy lessons.

JEL Classification: L26, O12, O25, R58


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