As more businesses recognise the importance of sustainability, exploring how entrepreneurial ecosystems can support this transition is vital, says Cristina Fernandes, from the Universidade do Porto and chair of track 5.1 at the 2025 R&D Management Conference.
“We chose to focus on sustainable and circular entrepreneurial ecosystems because this research field represents a crucial shift towards more responsible business practices that can address pressing environmental issues. Given the increasing urgency of climate change and resource depletion, this topic seems very timely.”
Regulation can be a driver
“Regulation also has a role in driving innovation. Setting clear standards can encourage companies to develop new technologies and practices that comply with environmental regulations, which can lead to new products and processes that minimize ecological impact.
“In particular, biodiversity presents a significant opportunity for innovation as it encompasses a variety of species and ecosystems that can inspire new ideas in fields like medicine, agriculture, and technology.”
Track 5.1 Sustainable and Circular Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Implementing sustainable circular practice processes is a significant challenge, given their inherent complexity and the unpredictable return for companies. To achieve the greatest possible success, the involvement of all actors, from the economic to the social to the political sphere – the so-called entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE), is necessary.
EE are capable of fostering sustainability and circularity and provide an ignition point for the transition to a sustainable circular economy.
This track explores the scientific, technological and digital enablers and investigates the factors necessary for the success of circular and sustainable EE.
R&D Management Conference 2025:
Innovation & Biodiversity
Institute of Management of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa
30 June – 2 July 2025
Track 5.1 Sustainable and Circular Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Track chair: Cristina I. Fernandes, Faculty of Economics and CEF.UP – Center for Economics and Finance, Universidade do Porto & NECE Research Unit in Business Sciences
Co-chairs:
João J. Ferreira, Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal & QUT Australian Centre for Entrepreneurship Research
Lawrence Dooley, Cork University Business School, University College Cork
