Ecosystem

Sociology

Neuroscience

Biology

Narratology

Maturity (psychological)

Developmental psychology

Philosophy

Cognition

Political science

Psychology

Set (abstract data type)

Ecology

Narrative

Programming language

Novelty

Computer science

Linguistics

Entrepreneurship

Social psychology

The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), the set of forces that generate and sustain regional entrepreneurial activity, are a growing focus of scholars and practitioners. Studies are beginning to draw attention to the role of cultural artifacts, including narratives, in the functioning of EEs. However, the mechanisms driving narratives’ effects on ecosystem participants are unexamined. The purpose of this article is to develop theory that explains the influence of EE narratives on how information is processed by audiences. It is theorized that differences among ecosystems can, in part, be explained by differences in the properties of the narratives that take hold in them. Specifically, propositions are developed about four properties that represent sources of variation among ecosystem narratives: their ability to capture attention, influence the cognitive and emotional encoding of information, and be memorable. Further, it is argued that the maturity of the EE influences the novelty and potency of narrative effects. By integrating theories of cognitive and social psychology, narrative theory, and entrepreneurship, this article advances our understanding of how narratives about EEs influence audiences.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem narratives and the micro-foundations of regional entrepreneurship