Abstract
This study examines the impact of interdependence on group effectiveness in entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). Relying on survey data from 156 entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) throughout the United States, the study finds that goal interdependence fosters effectiveness in EEs. The study did not find any evidence in support of taskinterdependence as a precursor for group effectiveness. Specifically, a unit change in goal interdependence leads to a 0.18 unit change in EEs effectiveness measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Interestingly, while the study shows that older ESOs are less effective, those belonging to older ecosystems generate better outcomes for their members; for each year in an EEs, ESOs see a 0.13 increase in effectiveness but a 0.05 decrease in effectiveness for each year the ESOs exist outside an EEs. The study demonstrates how shared leadership theories can further our understanding of collaborative, decentralized ecosystems like entrepreneurial ecosystems and identify antecedents for their effectiveness. The findings provide implications for policymakers aiming to develop solid entrepreneurial ecosystems by underscoring the importance of shared goals and communication channels and facilitating new entrants and synergies between older and newer ESOs.
Recommended Citation
Cooley, Lisa G. and Puozaa, Conrad
(2023)
"Interdependence and Group Effectiveness in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems,"
Journal of Business, Industry, and Economics: Vol. 28, Article 6.
Available at:
https://roar.una.edu/jobie/vol28/iss1/6