On the Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Comparative Assessment of Green and ‘Traditional’ Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze the impact of knowledge and socioeconomic dimensions on entrepreneurial ecosystem dynamics when addressing the emergence of green and ‘traditional’ knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship (KIE). The methodological approach used in the study was quantitative, using structural equation modeling. Our empirical analysis comprises data from 645 municipalities in the state of São Paulo and 1,372 companies participating in the Innovative Research in Small Businesses (PIPE) program administered by the São Paulo Research Foundation (Fapesp). Of these projects, 343 represent green KIE (25% of the total), and 1,029 are traditional KIE, thus allowing a sound comparative analysis. Results confirmed the positive impact of knowledge and socioeconomic dimensions on entrepreneurial ecosystem dynamics. Moreover, findings show a homogeneous pattern in this relationship for cities that do contain green KIE and cities that do not. Hence, it does not seem necessary to promote different ecosystems configurations in order to foster sustainable transitions in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Rather, policies and initiatives targeting technological generation and diffusion in green technologies can likely represent an effective transformational strategy to achieve environment-friendly productive systems.