A holistic approach to the evolution of an entrepreneurial ecosystem: An exploratory study of academic spin-offs

Hooman Abootorabi, Johan Wiklund, Alan R. Johnson, Cameron D. Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Borrowing nomenclature and concepts from ecology and evolutionary biology, we apply descriptive exploratory methods to extend our understanding about the complex dynamics of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. We take a holistic approach to ecosystem analysis, and we analyze the evolution of multiple activities (i.e., entry, exit, growth, and survival) within an entrepreneurial ecosystem and the interactions of these activities with the ecosystem actors and resource providers. Applying our approach to nearly the entire population of academic spin-offs in Norway from 2000 to 2015, we generate a number of important findings. By characterizing the dynamics of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, we take a major step towards theorizing the ecosystem perspective. Our findings have important implications for public policies targeted to promote academic entrepreneurship.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106143
JournalJournal of Business Venturing
Volume36
Issue number5
Early online date6 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sept 2021

Funding

The authors sincerely thank (in alphabetical order by last name) Alejandro Amezcua, Brian Anderson, Maksim Belitski, James Bort, Alexander McKelvie, and two anonymous reviewers for their comments and insightful feedback. We also would like to thank Einar Rasmussen at the Nord University Business School for his generous support, feedback, and explanation of the FORNY data. Further, Alan R. Johnson acknowledges funding from the ‘ Research Council of Norway /RFF Nord’. The authors sincerely thank (in alphabetical order by last name) Alejandro Amezcua, Brian Anderson, Maksim Belitski, James Bort, Alexander McKelvie, and two anonymous reviewers for their comments and insightful feedback. We also would like to thank Einar Rasmussen at the Nord University Business School for his generous support, feedback, and explanation of the FORNY data. Further, Alan R. Johnson acknowledges funding from the ?Research Council of Norway/RFF Nord?.

FundersFunder number
Alexander McKelvie
Research Council of Norway/RFF Nord?
Resources for the Future
Norges Forskningsråd
University of Bristol

    Keywords

    • Academic spin-offs
    • Ecosystem perspective
    • Entrepreneurial ecosystems
    • Exploratory research
    • Government policy

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Business and International Management
    • Management of Technology and Innovation

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