nep-ent New Economics Papers
on Entrepreneurship
Issue of 2026–07–20
four papers chosen by
Marcus Dejardin, Université de Namur


  1. Firm Interactions and Potential Ecosystems: A Bottom-Up Approach to Territorial Network Analysis By Ugo Fratesi; Pietro Vicari
  2. Childhood misbehavior, toxic personality and leadership By Thomas Buser
  3. Design tools as catalysts for shared problem framing in West African entrepreneurial contexts By Kodjo Senam Dola; Jean-François Boujut; Chloe Lecomte
  4. The Large Role Small Businesses Play in Employment in New England By Annie Liu; Riley Sullivan; Jeffrey P. Thompson

  1. By: Ugo Fratesi; Pietro Vicari
    Abstract: The concept of ecosystem has gained significant traction, both in academic and policy domains, however, most of the literature adopts given spatial scales, mostly regional statistical units, and then investigates the extent to which those places exhibit ecosystem features. To contribute overcoming this limit, this paper proposes a bottom-up methodology to identify “potential ecosystems†, i.e. clusters of local labour systems aggregated on the basis of firm interactions and territorial networks. The methodology is illustrated and validated with Italian data where identified “ potential ecosystems†are shown to exhibit several of the features that are expected in actual ecosystems. This methodological innovation could provide a support to evidence-based regional policy, e.g. better targeting areas for innovation measures.
    Keywords: Ecosystems, Firm Networks, Cluster Identification, Regional Development
    JEL: R12 R58 L26
    Date: 2026–07
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:egu:wpaper:2612
  2. By: Thomas Buser (University of Amsterdam)
    Abstract: Recent studies have found that childhood misbehavior, despite predicting worse schooling outcomes, is associated with higher adult earnings. Using a retrospective measure in a representative Dutch survey panel, I document a new dimension of the misbehavior-career link: people who misbehaved as children are overrepresented in leadership positions and among entrepreneurs. Yet the same people are, as adults, more likely to engage in physical aggression and social transgressions. They also have an aversive personality – markedly more disagreeable, dishonest, narcissistic, manipulative, neurotic, unconscientious, and vindictive – and report lower wellbeing. These patterns persist even among those who reach the top, making them potentially toxic as leaders.
    JEL: D91 J24 M51
    Date: 2026–06–24
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20260038
  3. By: Kodjo Senam Dola (G-SCOP_CCI - Conception Collaborative et Intégrée - G-SCOP - Laboratoire des sciences pour la conception, l'optimisation et la production - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Jean-François Boujut (G-SCOP_CCI - Conception Collaborative et Intégrée - G-SCOP - Laboratoire des sciences pour la conception, l'optimisation et la production - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Chloe Lecomte (Cirad-ES - Département Environnements et Sociétés - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, UMR Innovation - Innovation et Développement dans l'Agriculture et l'Alimentation - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement)
    Keywords: Design intermediary objects, African entrepreneurship, design tools, Design practice
    Date: 2026–05–18
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05650134
  4. By: Annie Liu; Riley Sullivan; Jeffrey P. Thompson
    Abstract: Small businesses occupy a position of economic and civic importance in New England that is not captured by any single statistic. These firms collectively employ millions of workers, anchor local communities, supply large institutions with goods and services, and are incubators of regional innovation and job growth. Using data from the US Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics, this brief quantifies the contributions that small businesses made to employment and employment growth in New England during the 2000–2023 period.
    Keywords: New England; small business; employment; health care
    Date: 2026–07–08
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedbrb:103508

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