Introducing Central Questions in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Across Cultures and Regions

Starting from the often-underestimated role that entrepreneurial culture has in international cooperation, this chapter aims to answer fundamental questions on future relations between Asia and Europe. Linkages between doing business, economic culture, and entrepreneurial ecosystems are introduced at the interface of local development and globalization. In this setting, this chapter recognizes the influence of Eurasia and the New Silk Road in the next phase of globalization, which may foster regional connectivity. However, mere connectivity needs to be brought to life through entrepreneurial activities that promote local development without surpassing power relations and sustainability challenges. Going beyond the perspective of global value chains and multinational enterprises, socio-economic exchange becomes a focus, where different forms of capitalism meet across Eurasia, causing contrasts in doing business and creating severe conflicts if the necessary sensitivity in dealing with each other is missing. Entrepreneurial ecosystems—as strongly diversified networks—may act as a mediators in international cooperation with a dynamic and context-related approach. Based on the model of international entrepreneurial ecosystems, a research field emerges at the socio-economic and local–global interfaces.