Abdollah Mohammadparast Tabas, Jonathan Mukiza Peter Kansheba and Hanna Komulainen
The entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) literature is dominated by conceptual studies with insufficient theoretical foundations and empirical evidence on the micro-level. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
The entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) literature is dominated by conceptual studies with insufficient theoretical foundations and empirical evidence on the micro-level. This study aims to explore the largely overlooked question of what the drivers that motivate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in an ecosystem are.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a qualitative exploratory approach. The empirical data consists of 19 semi-structured interviews with top management of SMEs in the health tech ecosystem in Finland. The data were analyzed using a thematic content analysis.
Findings
This study reveals a typology of drivers that motivate SMEs to participate in an ecosystem. These include social drivers (networking and cooperation and communication and knowledge sharing), resource drivers (access to resources, formal and informal support and market access) and cognitive drivers (shared goals and common values).
Research limitations/implications
The study contributes to the EE research by highlighting the drivers that motivate health tech SMEs to become members of the local ecosystem. It suggests that managers and entrepreneurs need to be aware of the factors related to social, resource and cognitive drivers to ensure the future success of their business.
Originality/value
The study draws evidence from a micro-level perspective which enriches the understanding of the EE phenomenon. It also explores an increasingly relevant but under-researched field, the health tech ecosystem.
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Abdollah Mohammadparast Tabas, Satu Nätti and Hanna Komulainen
This study aims to define orchestrator roles and related orchestration capabilities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) to understand how companies (especially small and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to define orchestrator roles and related orchestration capabilities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) to understand how companies (especially small and medium-sized enterprises and startups) could benefit from the surrounding ecosystem to develop their business.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative case study of the regional ecosystem built around health technology is researched to get an in-depth understanding of the orchestration roles taken by actors in the ecosystem and, likewise, related bundles of orchestrator role-specific capabilities.
Findings
Altogether, eight roles and related orchestration capabilities are defined. First, “opinion leaders,” “business facilitators” and “regulation informants” provide resources for participants. Second, “relationship promoters,” “coordinators” and “commanders” create prerequisites for collaboration. Finally, “integrators” and “complementors” help to create concrete offerings. The roles taken can be simultaneous, and they are in constant change as positions and resources of actors change.
Research limitations/implications
Theoretically, this study contributes to the existing EE and orchestration capability research by studying orchestrator roles and related capabilities in the context of an entrepreneurial health tech ecosystem, a phenomenon that has not received sufficient research attention yet.
Practical implications
Managers will be able to use the lessons learned from this study in understanding, using and developing their capabilities, positions and activities in the network. For policymakers, understanding EE reality and dynamics is useful when developing policies for regional growth, likewise in constructing and developing industrial ecosystems to support entrepreneurship in the region.
Originality/value
The study provides novel in-depth knowledge of orchestration in regional, EEs. It complements the currently dominating conceptual research and brings a micro-level perspective that has mostly been lacking in EE studies.
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Clavis Nwehfor Fubah, Jonathan Mukiza Kansheba, Mutaju Isaack Marobhe and Abdollah Mohammadparast Tabas
The purpose of this article was to review the existing literature on youth entrepreneurship (YE), focusing on the context, methodological and theoretical approaches employed…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article was to review the existing literature on youth entrepreneurship (YE), focusing on the context, methodological and theoretical approaches employed, alongside any emerging themes on the subject.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, drawing on an evidence base of 77 articles identified from different databases. These articles were either published in Association of Business Schools (ABS list 2021 edition) or Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) listed journals.
Findings
The review revealed that the majority of research on the topic has been conducted in Africa, employing a quantitative methodology. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been the dominant theoretical lens used by scholars. The four major themes covered on the topic to date include (1) entrepreneurial motivations; (2) entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) and entrepreneurial attitudes (EAs); (3) entrepreneurial competencies, education, training, and support, and (4) innovation and technology adoption.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this SLR is the first review that addresses this fast-growing area of research. This paper incorporated insights on YE across academic disciplines. It also provided a nuanced discussion of the major themes covered in the research and suggested directions for future research.
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Abdollah Mohammadparst Tabas, Jonathan Mukiza Kansheba and Christina Theodoraki
Prior research has extensively explored the dynamics of knowledge creation and transfer within entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). However, the research on knowledge integration…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior research has extensively explored the dynamics of knowledge creation and transfer within entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). However, the research on knowledge integration within EEs, particularly by entrepreneurs, remains scant. Garnering and effectively using knowledge in such a dynamic and complex environment can provide entrepreneurs with a valuable asset for gaining a competitive advantage. To address this gap, this study aims to explore how entrepreneurs garner and capitalise on knowledge within the EE environment by using a transactive memory system lens.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on 26 semi-structured interviews with different actors and members of the same ecosystem – the northern Finnish health tech ecosystem. The data were analysed using the Gioia methodology.
Findings
This study results found that transactive memory processes (i.e. knowledge specialisation, credibility and coordination) and structures (i.e. differentiated-, shared- and meta-knowledge) influence knowledge organising in EEs.
Originality/value
This study provides a conceptual interplay between the EE and the transactive memory system’s processes and structures.
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Ahmad Arslan, Sean Naughton, Abdollah Mohammadparast Tabas and Vesa Puhakka
This chapter conceptually addresses outward internationalisation of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from the emerging markets (EMs) by focussing on the role of prior…
Abstract
This chapter conceptually addresses outward internationalisation of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from the emerging markets (EMs) by focussing on the role of prior contract manufacturing relationships with a developed market multinational enterprise (DMNE). The internationalisation of SMEs originating from EMs is a rather under-researched area and the role of prior contract manufacturing experience specifically has not been addressed in prior studies. Based on a literature review, the authors identified four capabilities developed by EM SMEs during their contract manufacturing relationships with DMNE(s) that potentially help in later outward internationalisation. The authors incorporate some insights from dynamic capabilities theory, and develop propositions addressing the role of relational capital, human capital, manufacturing productivity capabilities and product innovation capabilities in this specific context. Despite being conceptual in nature, this chapter is one of the first to explicitly highlight the role of these specific capabilities developed during contract manufacturing relationship for outward internationalisation, setting bases for future studies to further empirically investigate them in different contexts.