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6 - Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Innovation in the Balkans

from Part I - Drivers of Innovation in Emerging Markets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2021

By
Veneta Andonova
Edited by
Fernanda Cahen ,
Lourdes Casanova  and
Anne Miroux
Fernanda Cahen
Affiliation:
Centro Universitario FEI, Brazil
Lourdes Casanova
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
Anne Miroux
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
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Summary

In this chapter, we explore the possibility that entrepreneurial ecosystems have become the engine behind innovation leadership in emerging markets. We study the experience of 11 Balkan nations and provide evidence of their dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems, despite national institution shortcomings and low public R&D spending. We emphasize the role of entrepreneurial finance, technical talent and the culture and connectedness of the entrepreneurial community as the most significant drivers behind the bubbling entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Balkans. We also argue that these arguments are critical and can nourish innovation performance in emerging contexts. We argue that by supporting their entrepreneurial ecosystems, many emerging countries that present similar institutional shortcomings to the Balkans can become innovation leaders.

Keywords

Entrepreneurial ecosystemnational system of innovationthe Balkansemerging marketsbrain drainentrepreneurial finance
Type
Chapter
Information
Innovation from Emerging Markets
From Copycats to Leaders
 , pp. 150 - 182
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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