Determinants of the sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tunisia: The role of stakeholders and entrepreneurial culture
Keywords:
sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem, stakeholder collaboration, entrepreneurial cultureAbstract
The concept of an entrepreneurial ecosystem refers to a network of interdependent actors and factors that collectively foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional economic growth. While previous research has emphasized the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in stimulating economic development, limited attention has been devoted to understanding their sustainability dimension, particularly in emerging economies. This study aims to examine the determinants of a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem within the Tunisian context. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of entrepreneurial ecosystem research, this paper investigates how stakeholder collaboration and entrepreneurial culture influence the perceived strength of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems across different Tunisian regions. Data were collected through an online survey administered to 214 stakeholders, including startups, incubators, accelerators, investors, coworking spaces, and governmental and non-governmental institutions. The findings reveal regional disparities in the strength of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems, highlighting that strong stakeholder collaboration and a robust entrepreneurial culture are key drivers of sustainability. Conversely, differences in stakeholders’ interests do not significantly affect ecosystem strength. This research contributes to the growing literature on sustainable entrepreneurship by providing empirical insights into how contextual and cultural factors shape the development of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging economies. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.
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