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 emerging 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, leaning toward either an entrepreneurial or an innovation logic; and (ii) the prevailing form of complexity, shaped by bottom-up or top-down dynamics. Our findings show that each configuration differs in the extent to which entrepreneurial processes are embedded within broader innovation structures, or conversely, how innovation dynamics are driven by entrepreneurial foundations. We also identify systems in which complex dynamics originate at the micro level or at the macro level, subsequently influencing the other dimension. By demonstrating that EEs and IEs can coexist within nested configurations rather than as separate domains, this study contributes to ecosystem scholarship and to the theoretical advancement of complex systems theory. The analysis deepens conceptual understanding by explaining how these configurations are shaped by different forms of complexity: bottom-up dynamics are grounded in effectuation logics, whereas top-down patterns reflect causation and coordinated strategies. Finally, the study offers practical guidance for policymakers and ecosystem orchestrators by illustrating how governance approaches can be aligned with the specific systemic dynamics of each configuration.