Agencement Theory Enhances Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Design for Sustainability
Applying agencement theory provides a framework to better understand and design entrepreneurial ecosystems that foster sustainability by considering interconnected values, transformative processes, and adaptable boundaries.
Small Business Economics · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Identified three crucial themes in EEfS research: value, transformation, and boundaries.
- 02Proposed a conceptual model of EEfS informed by agencement theory.
- 03Derived a research agenda and practical implications for EEfS.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems, move beyond linear models and embrace a more holistic, interconnected approach that accounts for emergent properties and dynamic relationships.
How to apply
When developing strategies for fostering sustainable businesses, consider how different stakeholders (entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, community members) interact and influence each other, and how these interactions can be leveraged for sustainable outcomes.
Project actions
- 01When researching an entrepreneurial ecosystem, consider how different components (people, resources, policies) 'agence' or connect and influence each other.
- 02Explore how values are negotiated and transformed within the ecosystem to drive sustainability.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides an integrative theoretical framework for a fragmented research area.
- +Offers a novel perspective by applying agencement theory to EEfS.
Limitations
It can be challenging to fully capture the dynamic and emergent properties of an ecosystem in a research project. Defining and measuring 'transformation' and 'boundaries' can be subjective.
Reliability & validity
The systematic review methodology enhances reliability through clear search and selection criteria. Validity is strengthened by the theory-driven approach and the integration of multiple themes, though the subjective interpretation of literature remains a factor.
Think critically
To what extent can agencement theory be applied to design interventions that actively shape the 'agencement' of an entrepreneurial ecosystem towards specific sustainability goals, rather than just observing existing dynamics?
Design Principles
"Design entrepreneurial ecosystems as dynamic assemblages, recognizing the interplay of values, transformation processes, and permeable boundaries."
For designers and researchers, this insight highlights the importance of viewing entrepreneurial ecosystems not as static entities but as dynamic assemblages. Understanding these interdependencies is crucial for developing strategies that effectively promote sustainable innovation and business models.
What This Means for Your Design
Think of building a sustainable business community like creating a living ecosystem. This research suggests we need to look at what people value, how things change over time, and where the community's edges are, using a theory that emphasizes how different parts connect and influence each other.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the concept of 'agencement' to analyze the relationships between different actors and factors in your design project's context.
- 2.Discuss how 'value', 'transformation', and 'boundaries' are relevant to your design challenge and potential solutions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2025). Agencing entrepreneurial ecosystems for sustainability: A systematic review to rethink values, transformation, and boundaries. Small Business Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-025-01071-w Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/2a4ac8dc-3c6e-4d71-a2ba-b391fcfe2b80/agencement-theory-enhances-entrepreneurial-ecosystem-design-for-sustainability
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the utility of agencement theory in understanding entrepreneurial ecosystems for sustainability. By examining the interconnectedness of values, transformation processes, and boundaries, designers can develop more effective strategies for fostering sustainable innovation.
Source
Small Business Economics
Agencing entrepreneurial ecosystems for sustainability: A systematic review to rethink values, transformation, and boundaries
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about agencement theory enhances entrepreneurial ecosystem design for sustainability?
- When designing for sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems, move beyond linear models and embrace a more holistic, interconnected approach that accounts for emergent properties and dynamic relationships. Evidence: Small Business Economics (2025).
- Why does "Agencement Theory Enhances Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Design for Sustainability" matter for design?
- For designers and researchers, this insight highlights the importance of viewing entrepreneurial ecosystems not as static entities but as dynamic assemblages. Understanding these interdependencies is crucial for developing strategies that effectively promote sustainable innovation and business models.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems, move beyond linear models and embrace a more holistic, interconnected approach that accounts for emergent properties and dynamic relationships.
- What were the main findings?
- Identified three crucial themes in EEfS research: value, transformation, and boundaries.. Proposed a conceptual model of EEfS informed by agencement theory.. Derived a research agenda and practical implications for EEfS.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2025 journal from Small Business Economics.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing strategies for fostering sustainable businesses, consider how different stakeholders (entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, community members) interact and influence each other, and how these interactions can be leveraged for sustainable outcomes.
- What are the limitations?
- The reliance on existing literature means the findings are constrained by the scope and quality of published research on EEfS. The application of agencement theory is a novel approach, and its practical implementation in ecosystem design requires further empirical validation.
- Is there evidence that entrepreneurial ecosystems affects design outcomes?
- The review found that research on sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems can be better understood by examining how values are created and exchanged, how transformations occur within the ecosystem, and how its boundaries are defined and shift, all through the lens of agencement theory. For designers and researchers, thi Source: Small Business Economics (2025).
- Where does this agencement theory research apply?
- Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Sustainability (EEfS) It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
entrepreneurial ecosystems design research · evidence on entrepreneurial ecosystems · does entrepreneurial ecosystems improve design outcomes · agencement theory studies for designers · entrepreneurial ecosystems and agencement theory findings · innovation & design research evidence