Artificial intelligence and dynamic capabilities: how startups can thrive in entrepreneurial ecosystems amid disruptive change

Antonio Cimino (), Ciro Troise (), Vincenzo Corvello () and Stefano Bresciani ()
Additional contact information
Antonio Cimino: University of Messina, Contrada di Dio S. Agata
Ciro Troise: University of Turin
Vincenzo Corvello: University of Messina, Contrada di Dio S. Agata
Stefano Bresciani: University of Turin

International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 2025, vol. 21, issue 1, No 97, 26 pages

Abstract: Abstract Artificial intelligence has emerged as a leading force among disruptive technologies, significantly reshaping the business landscape. Startups, due to their agility and innovation potential, are uniquely positioned to leverage artificial intelligence’s transformative power. This study investigates how the strategic behavior of startups influences their success within entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly during periods marked by rapid technological disruption. Employing the dynamic capabilities framework, the research introduces a theoretical model to evaluate entrepreneurial ecosystems success across two dimensions: the organizational level, which pertains to individual startup outcomes, and the ecosystem level, which reflects the broader ecosystem’s performance. The model’s validity was tested through structural equation modeling using a partial least squares approach, based on data from a structured survey of 210 startups listed in Italy’s official Business Register of Innovative Startups. Results reveal a strong, positive relationship between startups’ dynamic capabilities and the performance of entrepreneurial ecosystems in times of disruptive change. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence is identified as a key driver of ecosystem-wide success. The paper concludes with practical insights for startups navigating disruptive environments and outlines directions for future research.

Keywords: Disruptive technology; Artificial intelligence; Entrepreneurial ecosystem; Dynamic capability; Innovation performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11365-025-01146-w Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:intemj:v:21:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11365-025-01146-w

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer. ... urship/journal/11365

DOI: 10.1007/s11365-025-01146-w

Access Statistics for this article

International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal is currently edited by Salvador Roig

More articles in International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().