Orchestrating Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Resource-Constrained Contexts

About the Project

Entrepreneurial ecosystems are central to productive entrepreneurship, most ecosystem studies are more likely to focus on well-resourced contexts in developed economies (Brown and Mason, 2017; Autio et al., 2018). Yet, we know little about how these ecosystems are coordinated, led, and governed in contexts where resources, formal institutions, and public support are limited. This PhD project will investigate ecosystem orchestration, focusing on how key actors mobilise resources, align heterogeneous participants, and coordinate collective action within a resource-constrained entrepreneurial ecosystem. By examining a carefully selected case in an emerging economy, the project will provide rich, in-depth insights into how orchestration unfolds under conditions of scarcity, institutional fragility, and informal governance structures.

Drawing on research on ecosystem orchestration, ecosystem leadership, and ecosystem governance, the study will explore the roles of anchor organisations, intermediaries (e.g. incubators or universities), diaspora networks, and informal institutions such as traditional authorities or community organisations. Key research questions may include:

1. Who assumes orchestration roles when formal institutional infrastructure is weak?
2. What mechanisms are used to align and mobilise ecosystem actors?
3. How do orchestration strategies influence ecosystem performance and entrepreneurial outcomes?

The project will advance theory at the intersection of entrepreneurial ecosystems, institutional entrepreneurship, and network governance, offering actionable insights for policy, practitioners, and ecosystem actors. Methodologically, the PhD will employ qualitative or mixed-method approaches, such as in-depth interviews, participant observation, and network analysis, to capture the complexity of orchestration processes in a single ecosystem.

We are seeking applicants with a strong Master’s degree in entrepreneurship, management, development studies, or related fields, demonstrable research potential, and a keen interest in the political economy of entrepreneurship in emerging contexts. Experience or interest in qualitative fieldwork, ecosystem mapping, or social network analysis is advantageous.

Supervisors

Dr Olu Aluko

Yuxi Zhao