An advanced network analysis of entrepreneurial ecosystem elements

Scholarly literature holds a limited understanding of one of the fundamental premises of the entrepreneurial ecosystem framework: the structural interdependence of its constituent elements. This study employs several network analysis tools to examine a sample of 272 NUTS 2 regions, focusing on the interconnections among entrepreneurial ecosystem elements. The results show that talent, demand, and physical infrastructure are the most central elements. Additionally, networks, leadership, and knowledge are elements most susceptible to change from exogenous factors. Lastly, the subsample analysis performed does not support element connectivity as a differentiator between munificent and sparse entrepreneurial ecosystems. Instead, the difference is found in their network structure.