Entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems: a scoping review on the complexity of nested configurations

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) and innovation ecosystems (IEs) are conceptualised as distinct constructs, yet their interplay remains theoretically fragmented. This study addresses this gap through a scoping review of 48 peer-reviewed publications, investigating how the literature conceptualises their intersection. Guided by complex systems theory, our analysis reveals four nested configurations that emerge from the selected papers: startup ecosystems, entrepreneurial university ecosystems, entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems, and regional innovation ecosystems. These configurations are classified along two dimensions: (i) the dominant orientation of the ecosystem, which leans towards either an entrepreneurial or innovation logic; and (ii) the prevailing form of complexity, shaped by bottom-up or top-down dynamics. Our findings reveal that each configuration varies to the extent to which entrepreneurial processes are embedded within broader innovation structures or how innovation dynamics are driven by entrepreneurial foundations. We also identify systems where complex dynamics originate either at the micro-level or at the macro-level, subsequently influencing the other dimension. Thus, by showing that EEs and IEs can coexist within nested configurations than as separate domains, this study contributes to ecosystem literature and to the theoretical development of complex systems theory. The analysis advances conceptual understanding by explaining how these configurations are shaped by different forms of complexity: bottom-up dynamics are grounded in effectuation logics, and top-down patterns reflect causation and coordinated strategies. The study offers practical guidance for policymakers and ecosystem orchestrators, as it shows how governance strategies can be aligned with the specific systemic dynamics of each configuration.