Entrepreneurial ecosystems: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

The literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems is fragmented, and yet, no studies have paid attention to integrating the available studies. The purpose of this study is to provide a systematic review of contributions related to entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review evaluates studies that are covered in the Web of Science index.

Findings

In addition to the recent state of research (covering industries, geographical scopes, methodologies, etc.), this study provides an extension of Isenberg’s (2011) model of entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Research limitations/implications

A new avenue arises for both conceptual and empirical research by emphasizing crowdsourcing as a contributing element for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Future studies can evaluate the effectiveness of different types of crowdsourcing profoundly to make sure whether creating a promising ecosystem all types of crowdsourcing have a similar value or impact.

Practical implications

For public policy and local decision-makers, both collaboration opportunities and interaction interfaces between the stakeholders of the entrepreneurial need to be reconsidered in the design of entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Social implications

Higher degrees of collaboration, information exchange and innovation are likely to yield favorable entrepreneurship environments.

Originality/value

Novelty of this study arises from integrating crowdsourcing theory in the systematic review of entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Citation

Maroufkhani, P., Wagner, R. and Wan Ismail, W.K. (2018), "Entrepreneurial ecosystems: a systematic review", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 545-564. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-03-2017-0025