Activités

Entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) research has contributed to reshaping entrepreneurial policy and practice. Despite significant translational efforts, the gap between theory and actionable policy seems to be widening. This paper adopts a collaborative approach and critically reflects on the alignment of EE research with practical policy needs, structured around an interactive roundrobin brainstorming with 58 EE scholars (i.e., 12 authors and 46 additional experts). We examine policy adoption in the context of EE, discussing the challenges and evolution of research methods, data, and theory. We propose a future policy-oriented research agenda, validated and prioritized by European policymakers, to ensure that EE research effectively informs entrepreneurship policy.

One of the most discouraging reactions when we joyfully share our research insights with a policymaker is hearing some version of: "That don't impress me much" (yes, Shania Twain style). Despite our best efforts, the response often reveals a gap between what we think is valuable and what actually resonates in practice.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) research started with the promise of generating practical impact, but somewhere along the way, it got stuck. While scholars refined definitions and debated frameworks, policymakers moved ahead-designing programs, allocating resources, and making decisions without the clarity research was supposed to provide. This growing disconnect is what this paper addresses. Rather than offering abstract ideas, we brought researchers and policymakers together to co-create a research agenda grounded in policy-relevant issues. The result is both a roadmap for future EE research and a toolkit for producing research questions