Ecosystem as an entrepreneurship education tool: ecosystem reflection and action in the French context

Christina Theodoraki

Chapter 14 in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education, 2025, pp 312-334 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: While the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) has gained prominence in scholarly discussions as a key concept for economic development, it has often been narrowly viewed as a strategy for entrepreneurial growth. Much of the EE literature has concentrated on the role of universities in supporting regional entrepreneurial ecosystems by providing critical resources such as talent and knowledge spillovers. Some studies highlight extracurricular initiatives and the “third mission” of entrepreneurial universities, which promote knowledge commercialization through instruments like university incubators, while others focus on international, university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems. However, these research streams have largely evolved in parallel, lacking a unifying perspective that positions the ecosystem itself as a strategic approach for universities, particularly as a tool for entrepreneurship education. This chapter offers novel perspectives and pedagogical practices for building university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems. It draws on empirical evidence from a five-year longitudinal case study of 211 learners who have been sensitized in the Ecosystem Reflection & Action (ER&A) method within the French context. This holistic framework fosters the development of an ecosystem mindset and introduces key tools and practices inspired by a fusion of systems thinking and design thinking methodologies. Through a comprehensive analysis, the chapter provides actionable recommendations for implementing this philosophy and adopting the ecosystem strategy as a foundational element of entrepreneurship education.

Keywords: Education; Entrepreneurship; Ecosystem; Teaching practices; Entrepreneurship in practice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035307180
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