What does this research mean for the field?

In rural regions, entrepreneurial ecosystem policies that attract external resources generate higher economic output but increase spatial inequality and regional fragility, whereas policies that embed local resources yield lower aggregate output but foster greater spatial inclusion and resilience. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To develop a theoretical framework explaining how entrepreneurial ecosystem policies create spatial disparities and influence resilience within rural regions.

August 27, 2026Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

Spatial (In)equality and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Policy: A Historical Analysis of the Scottish Highlands

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Authors

SHShannon Harris MCMia Clarke ABAnna Brattström

Discussion

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Overview

Historical analysis reveals how resource-attracting versus resource-embedding policies drive spatial inequality, indicating critical trade-offs between economic output and local resilience.

Key Points

To develop a theoretical framework explaining how entrepreneurial ecosystem policies create spatial disparities and influence resilience within rural regions.
Conducted a historical policy analysis spanning 1965 to 1990 in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Compared policies aimed at attracting external regional resources with policies designed to embed resources locally within communities.
Resource-attracting policies generated higher aggregate economic output but concentrated opportunities, drained peripheral areas, and heightened regional fragility.
Resource-embedding policies resulted in lower total economic output but fostered greater spatial inclusion and regional resilience.
Identified spatial draining, disempowerment, and empowerment as the primary mechanisms driving regional ecosystem outcomes over time.

Cite This Study

Harris et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8fe98110c91c1e92621135 https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587261472141

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August 27, 2026Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

Spatial (In)equality and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Policy: A Historical Analysis of the Scottish Highlands

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SHShannon Harris MCMia Clarke ABAnna Brattström

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Historical analysis reveals how resource-attracting versus resource-embedding policies drive spatial inequality, indicating critical trade-offs between economic output and local resilience.

Key Points

To develop a theoretical framework explaining how entrepreneurial ecosystem policies create spatial disparities and influence resilience within rural regions.
Conducted a historical policy analysis spanning 1965 to 1990 in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Compared policies aimed at attracting external regional resources with policies designed to embed resources locally within communities.
Resource-attracting policies generated higher aggregate economic output but concentrated opportunities, drained peripheral areas, and heightened regional fragility.
Resource-embedding policies resulted in lower total economic output but fostered greater spatial inclusion and regional resilience.
Identified spatial draining, disempowerment, and empowerment as the primary mechanisms driving regional ecosystem outcomes over time.

Cite This Study

Harris et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8fe98110c91c1e92621135 https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587261472141

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark