PhD project in Entrepreneurship Ecosystem for a sustainable community in developing economies

Overview

Poverty is a significant challenge in developing countries, with large portions of the population living below the poverty line. For example, 12.9% of India’s population lives in poverty, while in Nigeria, about 29.5% of the population is impoverished. Similar trends are seen in Cameroon (23%) and Kenya (36.1%) (World Bank, 2023). These figures highlight the urgent need for strategies to alleviate poverty. Those in poverty often are socially excluded, with limited access to resources and decision-making; however, social inclusion and cohesion are crucial to alleviating poverty for sustainable communities.

The entrepreneurship ecosystem (EE) is vital in this context. A robust EE encourages investment in the local economy, leading to economic growth (Valliere & Peterson, 2009; Döring & Schnellenbach, 2006). This growth increases community wealth, making more resources available for public goods and services. An EE-based community can build a resilient and diversified economic base, driving sustainable economic growth and community development, and providing pathways out of poverty. In it, entrepreneurship fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to increased civic participation and stronger community ties.

Much of the existing literature on entrepreneurship ecosystems focuses on developed economies, with less attention to the unique challenges and opportunities in developing countries (Estrin et al., 2024). Limited research exists on the impact of informal institutions, such as cultural norms and community practices, on entrepreneurship activities (Xu et al., 2024). Understanding these influences is essential for designing effective support mechanisms. Additionally, existing metrics for evaluating EE performance often focus on economic indicators, neglecting social and environmental impacts. More comprehensive frameworks that incorporate these dimensions are needed.

This project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of how EE can be optimised to lift communities out of poverty in developing countries. It will examine the roles of key players, networking dynamics, and resource management within EEs, focusing on the influence of informal institutions such as cultural norms and community practices. Furthermore, the study develops an inclusive framework for evaluating EE performance, incorporating economic, social, and environmental impacts, to provide actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners dedicated to sustainable community development and poverty alleviation.

The proposed research will be an exploratory approach. The innovative research methods may consider (1) network analysis, mapping and measuring relationships and resource flows within the EE; (2) participatory action research, engaging community members as co-researchers to address local needs and leverage local knowledge; (3) longitudinal case studies of entrepreneurial ventures and their impact on community sustainability.