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Learning to grow in entrepreneurial ecosystems
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DOI：10.1007/s11187-026-01252-1.png)
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Abstract
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The entrepreneurial ecosystems literature lacks a clear explanation for how ecosystems influence firm growth. To address this gap, this paper examines learning as a way to link the structure of ecosystems with entrepreneurs’ ability to grow their firms. Drawing on a dataset of 42 interviews with high-growth technology entrepreneurs in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, the paper develops a typology of learning within ecosystems. Founders who engaged in coactive vicarious learning were able to demonstrate superior growth. However, this form of learning is contextually dependent. More coactive learning was found in Edinburgh than Glasgow. The data show that the ability and willingness to engage in this form of learning were directly related to the structure of their local entrepreneurial ecosystem. This paper establishes learning as a core process through which ecosystems affect entrepreneurial growth strategy. The entrepreneurial ecosystems literature currently does a poor job of explaining why entrepreneurs benefit from being in a strong ecosystem with lots of scale-up resources. This paper uses a comparative case study of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland to show that learning is one way to understand why strong ecosystems matter. Through 42 interviews with high-growth entrepreneurs, the paper shows that the structure and culture of Edinburgh’s ecosystem enables entrepreneurs to learn from each other. This allows them to grow faster while making fewer mistakes during the scaling process. The paper highlights that learning is an important way through which ecosystems influence business growth strategies. It also shows that the structure of the ecosystem, such as the presence of supportive networks and cultural norms, plays a crucial role in enabling effective learning practices. These insights help us understand how local communities can better support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.
Keywords:
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Entrepreneurial learning
Coactive vicarious learning
Comparative case study
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