Developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem, where the new ventures are supported by a network of other entrepreneurs and independent actors – individuals, organisations, institutions – is considered a core element of economic policy. Also important for the development and adoption of new products is the concept of an innovation ecosystem. Andrea Ancona of the Sapienza University of Rome is chair of Track 5.5 of the 2025 R&D Management Conference; he comments that there is a need to better understand the dynamics and interdependencies between the two types of ecosystem to promote value creation.

Track 5.5 is chaired by Andrea Ancona of the Department of Social Sciences and Economics, Sapienza University of Rome, with co-chairs Giuseppe Ceci (Department of Management, Sapienza University), Dieudonnee Cobben (Department of Management, Open Universiteit) and Yvonne Kirkels (Department Industrial Engineering and Entrepreneurship, Fontys Hogescholen).

Andrea comments that in today’s rapidly evolving socio-economic and technological environment, the intersection of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) and innovation ecosystems (IEs) represents a critical and under-explored area of research:

“In this track, we hope to contribute to a more holistic and actionable understanding of ecosystems, benefiting both academia and practice. The aim is to explore the methodological and theoretical overlaps between EEs and IEs, with a particular focus on cross-ecosystem dynamics, performance measurement, and digital transformation.

“This approach aligns closely with our ongoing research. Specifically, some of us are focusing on key mechanisms driving innovation in IEs, while others are investigating complex dynamics and evolutionary behaviors of EEs. By combining forces within this track, we aim to shed light on the crucial roles that certain actors play at the intersection of IEs and EEs.”

Biodiversity and human ecosystems

Biodiversity is the overall theme of the conference and Andrea says this creates an interesting context

“In relation to biodiversity, our track relies on the concept of ecosystem, a notion derived from the fields of ecology and biology.

“In natural sciences, biodiversity is extremely relevant for maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of species and their environment. Similarly, in the entrepreneurial and innovation domains, a figurative interpretation of biodiversity ensures a heterogeneous composition of actors and equitable distribution of resources, enabling effective innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We believe that targeted policies and regulations can effectively drive innovation rather than hinder it. SMEs, in particular, are highly sensitive to regulations, which can act as external mechanisms to enhance their innovation activities, so a more holistic understanding of the the levers within an ecosystem can help policy makers.”

Track 5.5 Nestedness between Entrepreneurial and Innovation Ecosystems: unpacking theoretical and empirical overlaps

Traditionally viewed as separate constructs, entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) and innovation ecosystems (IEs) are now increasingly seen as complementary, with recent studies highlighting their commonalities.

In this vein, the concept of nestedness contributes to their understanding, as various components and actors coexist within interdependent layers.

This track aims to bridge the two fields by investigating the overlapping actors, dimensions, and configurations, while exploring how different methodologies can be integrated to understand both ecosystems’ dynamics. Additionally, the debate will highlight the relationship between innovation and entrepreneurial outputs, shedding light on the nestedness between the components of both EEs and IEs.

Key research areas include the interconnectedness between different ecosystem types, theoretical and methodological overlaps, cause-effect mechanisms linking innovation to entrepreneurial outcomes, and the relationships between ecosystem dynamics and performance measurement. Moreover, contributions on how to leverage digital tools, AI, and emerging technologies to shape the evolution of EEs and IEs are welcomed.

Find Andrea on LinkedIn here.