Understanding Scaleup Ecosystems: Network Effects, Regional Dynamics, and Policy Implications

This doctoral research proposal addresses the underexplored topic of scaleup ecosystems, examining how network structures and other systemic conditions influence the formation, performance and regional economic impact of scaleup activity. Drawing on Stam’s entrepreneurial ecosystem model, the Schumpeterian/Kirznerian distinction, New Institutional Economics, the REDI framework and Complex Adaptive Systems theory, it proposes a quantitative design combining Social Network Analysis, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis and statistical models applied to seven years of longitudinal data on interactions among scaleups, mentors, investors and institutional actors. The study aims to identify the ecosystem configurations most conducive to scaleup success and to inform regional policy, including European Smart Specialisation strategies; preliminary results are not yet available.