The role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in sustainable local economic development

Volume editor
Natanya Meyer
Volume editor
Marius Venter
Volume editor
Niel Kruger

Synopsis

This book, endorsed by the Economic Development Council of South Africa (EDCSA) and the PASCAL International Observatory, focuses on local economic development (LED), emphasising the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE) in fostering sustainable economic growth. Local economic development is crucial in overcoming challenges such as historical dependence on government employment and limited funds for development. The book advocates for LED strategies to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship by providing infrastructure, finance, mentorship and industry support. It stresses the importance of stakeholder engagement and local research in addressing regional challenges effectively.

Highlighting the significance of EEs in fostering entrepreneurial development, the contributing authors to the book argue that EEs can drive job creation, boost local economies, foster innovation, enhance competitiveness and promote inclusive growth. Moreover, the chapters in the book emphasise the need for research conducted by local scholars to ensure relevance, sensitivity and ownership of findings, ultimately contributing to capacity building and sustainable development.

The book proposes that LED can serve as a tool for establishing sustainable EEs and vice versa through facilitating formal collaboration among various stakeholders. Its target audience are scholars in Development Economics and scholars whose research focuses on EEs, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding regional challenges and solutions, thereby enabling meaningful contributions to local economic growth and development in the region, inviting scholars to build upon the presented research.

This book provides valuable insights into promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development, offering actionable perspectives informed by both regional and international contexts. It is based on qualitative and quantitative research and serves as an essential resource firstly for scholars, and secondly for practitioners interested in driving economic growth and development.

Chapters

  • Preface
    Natanya Meyer, Marius Venter, Niel Kruger
  • Chapter 1
    Entrepreneurial ecosystems and local economic development: A systematic review
    Chané de Bruyn, Marius Venter
  • Chapter 2
    Entrepreneurial ecosystems: A practical and metaphysical perspective
    Niel Kruger
  • Chapter 3
    Entrepreneurial ecosystem development in sub-Saharan Africa
    Lodewikus Janse van Rensburg
  • Chapter 4
    A Global Entrepreneurship Monitor perspective on the quality of the South African national entrepreneurial ecosystem
    Natanya Meyer, Angus Bowmaker-Falconer
  • Chapter 5
    The enabling environment: Insights from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Adult Population Survey
    Natanya Meyer, Daniel Francois Meyer
  • Chapter 6
    Challenges and coping mechanisms of SMEs in townships versus suburban entrepreneurial ecosystems
    Menisha Moos, Robyn Goss, Clavis Nwehfor Fubah
  • Chapter 7
    Critical success factors for small businesses: Insights from South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Jean-Marie Mbuya, Natanya Meyer, Vivence Kalitanyi
  • Chapter 8
    Innovation for good: Social entrepreneurs develop human capital in resourcerestricted ecosystems
    Thea Tselepis
  • Chapter 9
    Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions: What actually works?
    Anthonia Rwabukwe, Kafigi Jeje
  • Chapter 10
    Entrepreneurship education and individual entrepreneurial orientation: A tale of two countries
    Daniella Teles Amaral, Chris Schachtebeck, Cecile Nieuwenhuizen

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Series
Centre for Local Economic Development: Topics in Local Development Book Series
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2789-7095
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Copyright (c) 2025 Natanya Meyer, Marius Venter, Niel Kruger (Volume editors)
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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Physical Dimensions
170mm x 244mm