Entrepreneurial dynamism and the built environment in the evolution of university entrepreneurial ecosystems

Abstract

University-centered entrepreneurial ecosystems (UCEEs) are complex webs of entrepreneurs, researchers, institutional support structures, and the built environment. We study the relationship between the built environment and the dynamism of the behavior of ecosystem agents in the evolution of UCEEs. Drawing upon data from interviews with ecosystem agents, as well as documents associated with the planning and development of purpose-built facilities (the built environment), we show how planned ecosystem evolution strategies differ from realized strategies. In particular, we develop a model of emergent response mechanisms to ecosystem dynamism and munificence, which include coping, learning, and adapting. We discuss UCEE evolution within a connectionist framework to better address the dynamic interaction of agents, institutions, and the environment.