Advancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Research: Concepts for Regional Entrepreneurship Ecologists (pp. 144-165)
Abstract of the chapter
Ecosystemic approaches have been shown to be an innovative way to overcome issues regarding skills shortages in regions. This chapter aims at analysing the key elements of the early stage of a regional skills ecosystem developed in Biscay, northern Spain, to tackle the shortages in STEM skills that the region is experiencing. Our work will identify key aspects for a self-functioning ecosystem of these characteristics, in which the innovation resides in going beyond supply and demand approaches to skills and focuses on a nuanced investigation of the interdependence of participating actors and elements of the ecosystem, and multilevel interaction and collaboration. At this stage of the development of the ecosystem, the role played by the sub-regional government – the provincial council of Biscay – as a driver, as well as the role of key agents such as the education system will be discussed based on the ecological notion of ecosystems.
