Development of a conceptual framework for entrepreneurial culture

Purpose Innovation is key. It improves a nations’ standing in international competition and in-creases the productivity of the workforce – a significant aspect in aging societies with a declining entrepreneurial activity. But how can innovation be fostered? This paper argues that entrepreneurial culture is an underestimated solution to this difficult challenge. It therefore differs from common models in which other measures such as financial capital or networks play a predominant role and thus mask the influence of entrepreneurial culture on innovation in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative literature analysis, the paper links various interdisciplinary touch points to the entrepreneurial ecosystem – including the individual-focused cognitive aspects of entrepreneurs, the social and spatial communities and the ecosystem as a service model. Findings The framework is conceptualized as a multi-layer model, enabling a discussion of policy measures in socioeconomic spaces with a short- and long-term perspective. It dispenses artificial assumptions and considers the complexity of human behavior as a strong and reciprocal driver of entrepreneurial culture. Practical implications With this framework, the paper tends to qualify policy makers and researchers in a de-tailed manner, when it comes to the formulation and application of culture-focused innovation policies. Originality/value The paper enriches the existing research with a new perspective on the relation between entrepreneurial culture and entrepreneurial ecosystems, which especially emphasizes the entrepreneurs experienced reality and its multi-level embeddedness.