Behavioural Profiling and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Abstract

Abstract Recent surveys of research concentrating on entrepreneurial ecosystems have noted that while studies provide an insight into the conditions that have generated entrepreneurial activities in cities and regions, they have largely focused on high-tech start-ups. This is a reflection of the fact that many studies focus attention on the most successful global cities and regions. However, different contexts may alter the nature of not only how entrepreneurial ecosystems operate, but also the outputs they produce. This chapter concentrates on deprived areas in the UK and considers whether differences may be apparent in those that are drawn into entrepreneurship, in terms of their personalities, in these different areas. The chapter proposes that such differences may not just be apparent, but may be appropriate given the underlying conditions in such areas. An exploratory analysis identifies two types of entrepreneur: Networked Risk-Taking Entrepreneurs (NRT Entrepreneurs) and Self-Reliant Cautious Entrepreneurs (SRC Entrepreneurs). In areas with greater deprivation it is found that the proportion of entrepreneurs classed as SRC Entrepreneurs is greater, which fits with the argument that where material, social, and cultural attributes are less supportive of high-growth technology-based entrepreneurship, a more cautious form of entrepreneurship may be complementary. This suggests that policy looking to support entrepreneurship in these areas needs to consider to what extent copying and pasting from more successful entrepreneurial ecosystems’ approaches will not only be unsuccessful, but may be harmful when trying to impose interventions that are inconsistent with the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem.