Resource dynamics in entrepreneurial ecosystems: how digitalization reshapes inter- and intra-ecosystem knowledge flows

Purpose This study explores how digital entrepreneurial ecosystems (DEEs), supported by publicly funded research infrastructure, contribute to the development of intellectual capital (IC) through enhanced resource dynamics within and between entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). Taking an IC perspective, the paper examines how digitalization influences resource mobility and supports the development of IC. Design/methodology/approach Employing a conceptual approach grounded in resource dependence theory (RDT), this study analyzes how DEEs support resource flows within and between ecosystems. It proposes a set of propositions outlining how DEEs enhance resource accessibility, aggregation, acquisition and generation within EEs, supporting IC development across territorial boundaries. Findings The developed conceptual framework suggests that DEEs play a pivotal role in resource dynamics. DEEs provide access to external resources, facilitate inter-ecosystem resource sharing, improve intra-ecosystem resource acquisition processes and promote continuous resource generation. These digitally enabled dynamics help EEs transcend local resource constraints, contributing to territorial growth and ecosystem adaptability. Originality/value This study contributes novel insights by highlighting the role of DEEs in territorial IC development. It makes three key theoretical contributions: (1) extending RDT to digital contexts, offering a multi-scalar view of resource flows and territorial capital; (2) differentiating inter- and intra-ecosystem resource strategies and (3) applying an IC lens to conceptualize how knowledge resources circulate within and across EEs. The findings inform future empirical research and offer guidance for policymakers on the significance of digital infrastructure in fostering EEs.