Exploring social difference among entrepreneurs in entrepreneurial ecosystems: a systematic review and intersectional framework

Lois M.; Stingl I.; Mayer H.; Schäfer S. Small Business Economics. DOI: 10.1007/s11187-026-01216-5

The entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) approach has long been criticized for assuming equal access while overlooking how structural inequalities shape entrepreneurial opportunities. This article proposes a conceptual framework for an intersectional perspective of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Such a framework is necessary because EEs that are more inclusive perform better, foster greater innovation, stronger knowledge spillovers, and show higher adaptability. Based on a review of 111 publications, we systematically examine how social categories and relations of difference shape entrepreneurial experiences and EEs. We identify three main approaches to EEs: a traditional perspective treating entrepreneurs as a homogeneous group; an actor-oriented approach to understanding difference in EEs that emphasizes individual categories of difference (most often gender), and an emerging intersectional approach, which we further develop. In sum, the field has broadened its understanding of entrepreneurial identities by addressing categories such as gender, migration, age, race/ethnicity, socio-economic background, and dis/ability. However, many studies remain focused on single axes, and only a few explore how identities are strategically mobilized. To address this gap, our conceptual framework centers on the entrepreneur as a situated actor embedded in overlapping power relations. By emphasizing lived experiences and the relational dynamics of inclusion, exclusion, and agency, it lays the groundwork for more inclusive, context-sensitive, and equitable entrepreneurial environments. © The Author(s) 2026.

Business models as bottlenecks: How the absence of business models hampers desired technology transitions ⁎

Engwall M.; Uhrdin A. Technovation. DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2026.103576

Research on technological transitions has long identified technology bottlenecks and strategic resource bottlenecks as impediments that could slow transitions. This paper adds another dimension and examines the undertheorized role of business models and how business model misalignments can constitute a third type of bottleneck. Based on a qualitative case study of electrification in the road transport industry, this paper explores the phenomenon of business model bottlenecks. The study shows that in contrast to technology bottlenecks and strategic resource bottlenecks, a business model bottleneck manifests itself as an unattractive void position. Resolving such a bottleneck requires adjustment of several interdependent business models, requiring actors to cooperate in new ways. The findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the interrelation between technology transitions and business model innovation. © 2026 The Authors

Unlocking the potential of digital entrepreneurship in turbulent times: A comprehensive overview

Nzembayie K.F.; Hägg G.; Kurczewska A.; Rippa P.; Klofsten M.; Urbano D. Technovation. DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2026.103570

Digital technologies are central to how entrepreneurs respond to external shocks and uncertainty, yet research about digital entrepreneurship lacks a conceptual architecture for theorising this relationship. This paper develops a multilevel framework for understanding digital entrepreneurship under conditions of turbulence and makes three contributions. First, we sharpen the distinction between digital entrepreneurship (DE) and entrepreneurship in the digital age (EDA), arguing that the ontological properties of digital artefacts create distinct opportunity structures requiring dedicated theorising. Second, we conceptualise turbulence not as a uniform exogenous shock but as a relational condition whose entrepreneurial consequences vary by level of analysis and by the type of digital mechanism through which actors respond. Third, we foreground a core paradox—the simultaneous democratising and exclusionary potential of digital technologies—and propose it as an organising tension for future research. The six papers in this collection anchor the framework across micro, meso, and macro levels and motivate a research agenda organised around four foundational questions. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd

Digital innovation ecosystem: a systematic mapping to understand how digital technologies are transforming innovation ecosystem

Barile D.; Secundo G. Technovation. DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2026.103573

Digital-enabled innovation ecosystems (DIEs) are currently experiencing a period of growth and are becoming increasingly important in addressing grand challenges, including sustainability, technological disruption and inclusive innovation. In this study, digital innovation ecosystems are interpreted as innovation ecosystems that are enabled by digital technologies, rather than as a distinct or separate ecosystem category. This study provides a thorough, theory-driven systematic literature review examining the adoption of digital technologies (DTs), including selected deep-tech innovation, to address these challenges within innovation ecosystems (IEs). Using descriptive, bibliographic, and content analysis methods, the review evaluates 581 scholarly articles, narrowing them down to 328 based on titles, keywords, and full-text analysis. This in-depth investigation reveals eight distinct thematic clusters representing thematic configurations of IEs that have been transformed through digital and deep-tech innovations and the evolution of the research field. These include: i) IE dynamics, evolution, and strategic interactions enabled by DTs; ii) Shaping IE through digital platform and data-driven collaboration; iii) Digital innovation and DTs for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem; iv) DTs for Knowledge Transfer and collaboration within Open IEs; v) DTs to promote sustainability within IEs; vi) DTs impact on University IE; vii) DTs for Industry 4.0 IEs; viii) DTs for Urban Innovation Ecosystems and Smart City development. We develop a holistic and multi-theoretical framework from these research thematic areas that captures the dynamic interplay between actors, technologies, institutional contexts and innovation processes, taking into account the context of grand challenges. This study contributes to mapping the evolution of IE under the digital era, and proposing a future research agenda that focuses on the transformative role of DIEs in addressing complex societal issues. This study contributes to the literature on IEs enabled by DTs and proposing their evolution into DIEs in addressing complex societal issues. A future resercah agenda is then proposed along with practical and policy implications. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd

Clusters, Global Value Chains, and the Business Environment: A Hierarchy of Institutional Influence on Small and Medium Enterprise Sustainability

Caemmerer B.; Stan V.; Russolillo G. Business Strategy and the Environment. DOI: 10.1002/bse.70839

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) dominate the global business landscape, making their sustainability efforts crucial. Yet little is known about how institutional contexts shape these practices. Using Institutional Theory, we compare the influence of cluster membership (CM), global value chain (GVC) membership, and the organizational business environment (OBE) on SMEs' implementation of sustainability practices. Data from 12,326 SME decision-makers in the European Union—collected via computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI)—were extracted from the Eurostat Flash Eurobarometer 486. We use ordinal logistic regression to model SME sustainability practices as a function of CM, GVC membership, and the OBE, and dominance analysis to compare their relative influence. Findings show a hierarchy of contextual influence: CM has the strongest association, followed by GVC membership, while that of the OBE is relatively weak. These insights support efforts to expand SME cluster development and GVC integration to accelerate sustainable transformation and meet EU sustainability objectives. © 2026 The Author(s). Business Strategy and the Environment published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mapping the Evolving Landscape of Porter Hypothesis: A Bibliometric and Content Analysis for Environmental Management

Ohlan R.; Ohlan A. Business Strategy and the Environment. DOI: 10.1002/bse.70890

Environmental regulation is often seen as a trade-off between compliance costs and competitiveness. The Porter hypothesis (PH) challenges this view, proposing that well-designed regulation can stimulate innovation and enhance firm performance. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis of 1035 PH publications from the Web of Science, covering the period 1993–2025. It offers the first systematic mapping of the field's intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and empirical evidence. Findings reveal rapid recent growth, with over 82% of studies published in the last 7 years. The research network is increasingly collaborative and global. Science mapping identifies four key clusters: firm-level competitiveness, macroeconomic policy dynamics, empirical mechanisms, and innovation–policy linkages. Evidence consistently supports the weak and narrow forms of the Porter hypothesis, while validation of the strong form remains context-dependent. Over time, research has shifted from early debates on regulatory costs to a focus on green innovation, productivity, and sustainable competitiveness. The results suggest that flexible, market-based regulations are most effective in generating innovation-driven win–win outcomes. These insights are relevant for managers and policymakers aiming to align environmental strategy with competitive advantage. © 2026 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Place-Attached Family Firms and CSR Orientation: The Mediating Role of Local Embeddedness

Amato S.; Toma P.D.; Kocollari U. Family Business Review. DOI: 10.1177/08944865261433673

Prior research suggests that the territory in which firms operate shapes the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) orientation of family firms. Yet, we know little about how the owning families’ territorial bonds relate to CSR. Drawing on survey data from 316 Italian family firms, we examine the association between owning families’ emotional ties to place (place attachment) and CSR orientation, and whether this association operates indirectly through the firm’s economic and social ties to its local context (local embeddedness). Results indicate a positive relationship between place attachment and CSR, partially mediated by local embeddedness, thus advancing a place-based perspective on CSR in family firms. © The Author(s) 2026

Innovation, competitiveness and sustainability: evidence from agro-industrial Spanish clusters

Pimenta-Alonso A.M.; de Vega de Unceta A.; Delbello L.; Lucas M.R. Competitiveness Review. DOI: 10.1108/CR-01-2026-0029

Purpose – This study aims to verify whether the participation of agricultural companies in associative agro-industrial clusters increases and improves their competitiveness, productive effectiveness and financial performance and their progress towards more sustainable practices. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses multiple case studies with data from two agro-industrial clusters in Spain. Qualitative data is from interviews and testimonials using 41 companies, and quantitative data were analysed using simple regression models with time as a regressor, using 212 companies. Findings – Financial indicators from companies participating in a cluster are compared with those of companies that are not, both in their region and in the organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD).The data showed that companies associated with clusters have better economic results than others in the same region and in the OECD. It is also verified that companies linked to the cluster are much more efficient. Furthermore, the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stand out the most capitalised in the cluster. In addition, evidence from ongoing R&D, innovation and circular-economy initiatives demonstrates that cluster membership facilitates the adoption of sustainability-oriented practices, aligned with SDGs 2, 9, 12 and 13. Research limitations/implications – As with any empirical analysis of dynamic organisational settings, this study faces certain limitations. Agro-industrial clusters are evolving rapidly, making it challenging to fully capture the ongoing transformation of their activities and impacts at a specific point in time. In addition, while cluster organisations play a central enabling role, the success of the initiatives described ultimately depends on the degree of engagement and implementation by participating firms, which naturally introduces heterogeneity in observed outcomes. Finally, financial performance indicators are drawn from secondary databases that incorporate information with a time lag, meaning that some effects of cluster participation may materialise gradually and become observable only over time. Practical implications – The findings of this study offer practical guidance for cluster managers, policymakers and firm owners. They underline the importance of well-structured cluster organisations that actively facilitate collaboration, innovation, sustainability-related projects and knowledge transfer, particularly for SMEs. For policymakers, the results support the design and continuation of agglomeration and cluster-support policies as tools for strengthening regional agri-food systems and accelerate the transition towards sustainable production. For firms, this study highlights the value of proactive engagement in cluster activities to fully leverage collective resources, improve competitiveness and performance, while also enhancing environmental outcomes. Social implications – This study highlights the social relevance of agro-industrial associative clusters as drivers of inclusive and sustainable local development. By fostering collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing, clusters contribute to strengthening SMEs, supporting employment creation and enhancing skills development in rural and agri-food territories. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature on agro-industrial clusters by providing empirical evidence on the role of associative cluster organisations in enhancing firm performance, innovation, sustainability-related capabilities and local development. © 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited

Fostering SME Competitiveness: Mediation of Government Support and Environmental Dynamism in Indonesian Special Economic Zones

Widayanto M.T.; Hendra J.; Amirullah. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies. DOI: 10.1177/23939575261443791

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal to economic development in emerging economies such as Indonesia, yet they continue to face structural constraints that undermine their competitiveness. This study examines how entrepreneurial orientation (EO), digital transformation (DT) and resource availability (RA) influence SME competitiveness, while also investigating the mediating roles of government support (GS) and environmental dynamism (ED). The research was conducted in two strategic special economic zones (SEZs) in Indonesia—Mandalika and Sanur—where SMEs play an essential role in supporting tourism and regional growth. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 250 SMEs via structured questionnaires. The analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 4.0. The findings reveal that DT and RA have significant direct effects on SME competitiveness, while EO shows no significant direct relationship. However, GS mediates the relationship between all three variables and competitiveness, indicating that institutional support is vital in transforming internal strengths into competitive outcomes. Additionally, ED significantly mediates the relationship between DT and competitiveness, but not for EO or RA. Practically, this study highlights the need for SME managers to prioritise DT and actively leverage government programmes. Policymakers are encouraged to design targeted support mechanisms to enhance SMEs’ innovation and market responsiveness. The study offers important insights for advancing the theoretical discourse on SME competitiveness, particularly in policy-sensitive and tourism-driven economic contexts. ©The Author(s) 2026

Local institutions and the productivity of family and non-family firms: Evidence from the Italian manufacturing industry

Pieroni V.; Amato S.; Basco R.; Lattanzi N. Journal of Family Business Strategy. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfbs.2026.100718

Empirical studies comparing productivity between family and non-family firms have produced contradictory results, which traditional managerial theories have struggled to explain. To address this research gap, we employ a context-theorizing approach to explore whether the quality of local institutions and place connections influence the productivity of family firms vis-à-vis their non-family counterparts. We develop a theoretical model that integrates corruption-trust theory and place attachment theory to examine the impact of the local context on both family and non-family firms. Our findings, based on a sample of Italian manufacturing firms, reveal that family firms are more productive than non-family counterparts in low-quality institutional contexts. However, this advantage diminishes as the quality of local institutions improves. Contrary to expectations, place attachment is negatively associated with productivity on average. This negative association is concentrated among non-family firms, whereas family firms appear largely unaffected. For family firms, the impact of place attachment is contingent on institutional quality. In low-quality institutional environments, place attachment further reduces the productivity of family firms, suggesting a lock-in effect. In contrast, in high-quality institutional contexts, place attachment becomes a source of productivity advantage for family firms. © 2026 The Authors

The World Economic Forum: Country Competitiveness—Nonsense Without Accountability?

Bergsteiner H.; Avery G.C. Journal of Business Ethics. DOI: 10.1007/s10551-025-06234-z

This article critically examines the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) claims to independence, impartiality, and integrity, particularly in its work on national competitiveness. At the macrolevel, we assess this private membership organisation’s alignment with its stated mission to improve the state of the world, concluding that it has prioritised neoliberal economic interests over its professed stakeholder capitalism. At the methodological level, we expose systemic flaws in the WEF’s competitiveness assessments as published in its Global Competitiveness Reports (GCR), spurious science including the conflation of inputs and outcomes, exclusion of key social and environmental indicators, and reliance on opaque, ideologically biased economic measures. These and other methodological weaknesses undermine the validity and integrity of the WEF’s rankings, which nonetheless wield considerable influence over public policy and corporate strategy. The WEF’s 2020 suspension of its competitiveness index – absent meaningful accountability or reform – further highlights the ethical shortcomings of this powerful institution. Genuine progress requires a fundamental reset of metrics, governance, and accountability mechanisms to reflect holistic, outcome-based indicators of competitiveness focused on a better world. Without such reform, the WEF’s claims to moral leadership remain unsubstantiated and hollow, and the responsibility for ethical oversight needs to shift to civil society, academia, and policymakers. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2026.