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‘Entrepreneurship enablers’ — Their unsung and unquantified role in competitiveness and regeneration

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  • John Thompson

Abstract

Entrepreneurship enablers are the ‘people behind the people’ who create and build businesses and social enterprises and thus help bring about economic and social regeneration. Entrepreneurship enablers are really entrepreneurs, but their ‘product’ is the businesses and other initiatives that would not have happened without their intervention. The paper discusses the importance of entrepreneurship enabling in regeneration and competitiveness, and the frequently under-sung role of entrepreneurship enablers. Whilst ‘entrepreneur enabling’ is about working with and supporting individuals, entrepreneurship enablers are those people who make it (more) possible for entrepreneurs to emerge and grow in the first place. They affect the infrastructure and the culture that others demonstrate is important in regeneration. This paper is grounded in a mix of regional development and entrepreneurship literature; the research is case based and reflections are drawn from 15 different examples. The basic conclusions are that these individuals are important — really, they are essential. They make a significant contribution, and yet their role remains largely unquantified and unsung. Policy makers can benefit from making sure they take their contribution seriously.

Suggested Citation

  • John Thompson, 2010. "‘Entrepreneurship enablers’ — Their unsung and unquantified role in competitiveness and regeneration," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 25(1), pages 58-73, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:loceco:v:25:y:2010:i:1:p:58-73
    DOI: 10.1080/02690940903545406
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Audretsch & Max Keilbach, 2004. "Entrepreneurship Capital and Economic Performance," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(8), pages 949-959.
    2. Emmanuelle Chevassus-Lozza & Danielle Galliano, 2003. "Local Spillovers, Firm Organization and Export Behaviour: Evidence from the French Food Industry," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 147-158.
    3. Harvey Johnstone & Doug Lionais, 2004. "Depleted communities and community business entrepreneurship: revaluing space through place," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 217-233, May.
    4. Ron Boschma, 2004. "Competitiveness of Regions from an Evolutionary Perspective," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(9), pages 1001-1014.
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    1. Violet T. Ho & Jeffrey M. Pollack, 2014. "Passion Isn't Always a Good Thing: Examining Entrepreneurs' Network Centrality and Financial Performance with a Dualistic Model of Passion," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 433-459, May.

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