Integrating Financial, Institutional, and Social Capital into A Cross-Ecosystem Logistic Regression Analysis Using Large-Scale Firm-Level Data
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigates the key determinants of startup survival across diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems, integrating financial, institutional, and social capital. It aims to clarify how ecosystem-level supports, such as access to finance, mentorship, policy backing, and networking, alongside firm-specific characteristics, influence startup longevity in emerging economies.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper uses a dataset (2015–2023) covering 5,000 startups across Southeast Asia, SSA, and Latin America from a multilevel logistic regression models with random effects at the ecosystem level were employed to account for nesting of firms within ecosystems. Firm-level controls included age, size, and sector.
Findings: Results indicate that access to finance, mentorship, policy support, and networking all positively and significantly enhance survival odds, while GDP per capita shows no direct effect. Firm age and size also contribute positively. The findings highlight the layered, interdependent roles of ecosystem resources in mitigating startup fragility.
Implications/Originality/Value: The study underscores that survival depends less on macroeconomic wealth than on targeted ecosystem supports. Policymakers should prioritize integrated strategies that combine financial tools, mentorship programs, regulatory facilitation, and networking opportunities to foster resilient startup communities.
Downloads
Article Analytics Summary
References
Acs, Z. J., Szerb, L., & Autio, E. (2017). The Global Entrepreneurship Index 2017. Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63844-7
Aldrich, H. E., & Auster, E. R. (2021). Even Dwarfs Started Small: Liabilities of Age and Size and Their Strategic Implications. Research in Organizational Behavior, 43, 127–152.
Aldrich, H., & Zimmer, C. (1986). Entrepreneurship through social networks. In D. L. Sexton & R. W. Smilor (Eds.), The Art and Science of Entrepreneurship (pp. 3–23). Ballinger.
Audretsch, D. B., & Belitski, M. (2021). The role of R&D and knowledge spillovers in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Small Business Economics, 56(2), 559–575.
Audretsch, D. B., Siegel, D. S., & Wright, M. (2022). Toward a new paradigm for regional innovation ecosystems: The role of multilevel interactions. Regional Studies, 56(2), 203–216.
Autio, E., & Rannikko, H. (2021). Digital Enablement and Transformations in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. Small Business Economics, 56(2), 617–631.
Autio, E., Kenney, M., Mustar, P., Siegel, D., & Wright, M. (2018). Entrepreneurial innovation: The importance of ecosystems and institutions. Research Policy, 47(8), 1197–1209.
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Belitski, M., Chowdhury, F., & Desai, S. (2024). Entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets: Drivers of inclusive growth. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 21, e00403.
Bruton, G. D., Ahlstrom, D., & Li, H. L. (2021). Institutional Theory and Entrepreneurship: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Need to Move in the Future? Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(5), 1036–1053.
Bruton, G. D., Zahra, S. A., & Cai, L. (2018). Examining entrepreneurship through indigenous lenses. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 42(3), 351–361. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258717741129
Ceptureanu, S. I., Zaharie, M., & Chivu, L. (2020). Mentorship and start-up survival in emerging markets. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 27(4), 659–675.
Chen, H., & Sutter, C. (2022). Financing and Innovation of Startups: The Role of Financial Access in Developing Countries. Journal of Business Venturing, 37(4), 106221.
Chowdhury, F., Audretsch, D. B., & Belitski, M. (2019). Institutions and entrepreneurship quality. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 43(1), 51–81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258718780431
Cleves, M., Gould, W., Gutierrez, R., & Marchenko, Y. (2010). An Introduction to Survival Analysis Using Stata (3rd ed.). Stata Press.
Crespo, N., & Dridi, R. (2021). The Impact of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem on Firm Performance: Evidence from Developing Economies. Journal of Business Research, 132, 175–186.
Delgado, M., Porter, M. E., & Stern, S. (2020). Clusters, Convergence, and Economic Performance. Research Policy, 49(1), 103847.
Dvouletý, O., Lukeš, M., & Andera, M. (2021). The impact of public entrepreneurship policies on entrepreneurial activity: Evidence from post-transition economies. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, 10(2), 160–177.
Edelman, L. F., Manolova, T., Shirokova, G., & Tsukanova, T. (2021). Mentorship and Venture Survival: The Role of Experience and Social Capital. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(2), 267–291.
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Martin, J. A. (2000). Dynamic capabilities: What are they? Strategic Management Journal, 21(10–11), 1105–1121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0266(200010/11)21:10/11<1105::AID-SMJ133>3.0.CO;2-E
Elia, S., Margherita, A., & Passiante, G. (2020). Digital entrepreneurship ecosystem: How digital technologies and collective intelligence are reshaping the entrepreneurial process. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 150, 119791. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119791
George, G., Corbishley, C., Khayesi, J. N. O., Haas, M. R., & Tihanyi, L. (2016). Bringing Africa in: Promising directions for management research. Academy of Management Journal, 59(2), 377–393. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2016.4002
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. (2023). Global Report.
Granovetter, M. (1985). Economic action and social structure: The problem of embeddedness. American Journal of Sociology, 91(3), 481–510. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/228311
Gupta, P., & Bose, I. (2020). Strategic learning for knowledge-based innovation: A case study of an Indian startup. Journal of Business Research, 108, 366–376.
Iacobucci, D., & Perugini, M. (2021). Entrepreneurship in emerging markets: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(5), 857–886.
Isenberg, D. J. (2020). The Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Strategy as a New Paradigm for Economic Policy: Principles for Cultivating Entrepreneurship. Babson Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Project.
Kantis, H., & Federico, J. S. (2020). Entrepreneurial ecosystems in Latin America: The role of policies. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, 9(4), 449–470.
Kennedy, P. (2020). A Guide to Econometrics (7th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Klyver, K., Nielsen, S. L., & Evald, M. R. (2020). Regional entrepreneurial ecosystems: Multilevel dynamics and startup survival. Regional Studies, 54(3), 326–338.
Kuckertz, A., & Brändle, L. (2022). Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Dynamic Review and Research Agenda. Small Business Economics, 58(2), 729–752.
Mambwe, P., & Kibombo, R. (2022). Access to finance and SME survival in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel analysis. Journal of African Business, 23(1), 89–107.
Mason, C., & Brown, R. (2020). Financing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Venture Capital and Beyond. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 13, e00152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbvi.2019.e00152
Mbizi, R., & Wamukota, A. (2021). The effects of access to finance on startup success in emerging economies: Evidence from East Africa. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 27(4), 903–920.
Morris, M. H., Kuratko, D. F., & Schindehutte, M. (2023). Emerging Market Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: The Missing Link in Economic Development. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 19, e00344.
Newbert, S. L. (2007). Empirical research on the resource-based view of the firm: An assessment and suggestions for future research. Strategic Management Journal, 28(2), 121–146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.573
North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808678
Nyadzi, E., Mensah, G., & Osei, E. (2022). Policy environment and startup survival in Ghana: An institutional approach. Small Business Economics, 59(2), 789–805.
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, B., & Adebowale, B. (2017). University-industry linkages in Nigeria: Can they increase startup survival? Industry and Higher Education, 31(2), 96–105.
Ozgen, E., & Baron, R. A. (2007). Social sources of information in opportunity recognition: Effects of mentors, industry networks, and professional forums. Journal of Business Venturing, 22(2), 174–192. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2005.12.001
Ratten, V. (2020). Entrepreneurial ecosystems and policy: A review of emerging research and policy directions. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 12(3), 361–376.
Roundy, P. T. (2020). Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: The Role of Networks, Clustered Industries and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 32(3–4), 279–299.
Scott, W. R. (1995). Institutions and Organizations. Sage Publications.
Snijders, T. A. B., & Bosker, R. J. (2012). Multilevel Analysis: An Introduction to Basic and Advanced Multilevel Modeling (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
Spigel, B. (2020). Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Theory, Practice and Futures. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788975933.00009
Spigel, B., & Harrison, R. (2018). Toward a process theory of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 12(1), 151–168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1268
Stam, E. (2015). Entrepreneurial ecosystems and regional policy: A sympathetic critique. European Planning Studies, 23(9), 1759–1769. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2015.1061484
Stam, E. (2022). Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Regional Policy: A Review and Synthesis. European Planning Studies, 30(7), 1303–1326.
Stam, E., & Spigel, B. (2016). Entrepreneurial ecosystems. In M. Wright, M. Lockett, J. Clarysse, & I. W. B. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Entrepreneurship and Collaboration (pp. 407–439). Oxford University Press.
Stam, E., & Spigel, B. (2018). Entrepreneurial ecosystems. In R. Blackburn, D. De Clercq, & J. Heinonen (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (pp. 407–422). SAGE. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473984080.n21
Stam, E., & Spigel, B. (2023). Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. In S. Shane (Ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Entrepreneurship and Regional Development (pp. 83–106). Palgrave Macmillan.
Stam, E., & van de Ven, A. (2021). Entrepreneurial ecosystem elements. Small Business Economics, 56(2), 809–832. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-019-00270-6
St-Jean, E., & Audet, J. (2020). The Role of Mentoring in the Learning Development of the Novice Entrepreneur. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 16, 279–301.
Szerb, L., Lafuente, E., & Páger, B. (2022). Measuring entrepreneurial ecosystems: A composite index approach. Regional Studies, 56(3), 459–474.
Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z
Wagane, R., Mwangi, J., & Muturi, W. (2023). The role of mentorship programs on SME survival in Kenya: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Small Business Management, 61(1), 1–24.
Wooldridge, J. M. (2021). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
World Bank. (2023). Doing Business Report.
Zhao, L., Tang, Y., & Li, Q. (2023). Mentorship and Startup Survival: Evidence from Emerging Markets. Journal of Small Business Management, 61(1), 157–181.
Copyright (c) 2025 Taiwo A. Muritala

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
CSRC Publishing and JAFEE adhere to Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License. The authors, submitting and publishing in the Journal of Accounting and Finance in Emerging Economies published by CSRC Publishing, retain the copyright of their work and give the journal right to publish their work agreeing to the licensing policy under Creative Common Attribution-Non Commercial (NC-BY-NC 4.0) International. Under this license, the published authors let others remix, tweak, and build upon their work non-commercially. Yet all the other authors using the content of CSRC Publishing are required to cite author(s), journal name and publisher in their work. CSRC Publishing and JAFEE follow an Open Access Policy for copyright and licensing.