Ammattikorkeakoulu vaikuttajana alueellisessa kasvuyrittäjäekosysteemissä
Keywords:
entrepreneurial ecosystem, regional effectiveness of ecosystem, University of Applied SciencesAbstract
Business growth has long been at the heart of business policy. However, various public subsidies have been proved to have limited effects on growth entrepreneurship, especially after the start-up phase. The utility of subsidies has been questioned and the ecosystem approach has been developed to respond, in particular, to the challenge of identifying and assessing the effects of subsidies. The holistic ecosystem approach emphasizes the interaction between entrepreneurs, resource providers and associates. Especially in South Ostrobothnia, the University of Applied Sciences plays an important role in the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem and entrepreneurial growth ecosystem as there is no science university in the area. The aim of this study is to 1) find out the effectiveness of the regional entrepreneurial growth ecosystem and 2) the role of the University of Applied Sciences in the entrepreneurial growth ecosystem. The study focuses on the entrepreneurial growth ecosystem, especially in South Ostrobothnia and the role of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in it. The study was qualitative and semi-structured theme interviews were used in the data collection. The actors’ assessments of ecosystem’s effectiveness are examined in relation to the following themes: growth factors, growth, and growth implications based on interviews of 13 actors. According to the interviews, the entrepreneurial growth ecosystem is relatively effective. The role of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences is regionally important by acting as a catalyst through research and education, both by buffering and promoting growth entrepreneurship.
