واکاوی سه دهه ارتباط پیچیده نهادها و کارآفرینی منطقه‌ای(یک مرور نظام‌مند مبتنی بر چارچوب ترکیبی ADO-TCM)

Abstract
The present research aims to systematically review the relationship between regional entrepreneurship and institutions, using the ADO-TCM framework (Antecedents, Decisions, Outcomes-Theories, Context, and Methodology) and a domain-based systematic research method to analyze the structural components of articles in the field of regional entrepreneurship and institutions in the Scopus scientific database. Results showed that antecedents could be categorized into three levels: institutional relationships, institutional level, and types of influential institutions. The theoretical framework of the studies was primarily based on institutional theory and 9 other complementary theories. Geographical analysis of the studies revealed a concentration of research in developed countries, particularly Britain, the United States, and China. From a methodological perspective, the predominance of mixed approaches and longitudinal studies in research in this field was evident. The key findings of the research identified four main trends in studies of regional entrepreneurship and institutions: 1- Increasing attention to the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in regional development; 2- The growing importance of inter-institutional collaborations; 3- Focus on the role of entrepreneurship education; 4- The importance of academic institutions in regional innovation development. These findings, by providing a comprehensive picture of the relationship between regional entrepreneurship and institutions, could assist policymakers, managers, and researchers in developing and strengthening regional entrepreneurship.
Introduction
Institutions help the growth and development of entrepreneurship by providing suitable conditions for economic activities, reducing risks, improving access to information, and decreasing transaction costs. These institutions are significant not only at the national level but also at the regional level. Studies show that not only formal institutions such as laws and regulations but also informal institutions such as culture, tradition, and history play a vital role in entrepreneurial success. Culture, as one of the most important institutional components, plays a significant role in shaping entrepreneurial attitudes. The interaction between formal and informal institutions is a key factor in regional entrepreneurship development, and in cases where there is asymmetry between these two types of institutions, entrepreneurial activity can be strengthened. Research in the field of the relationship between regional entrepreneurship and institutions is important for three reasons: first, it helps understand why the level of entrepreneurial activities is higher in some regions compared to others; second, it is useful in identifying institutional factors that promote or destroy entrepreneurial activities; and third, it assists policymakers in designing interventions that support entrepreneurial activities. This systematic review, utilizing the comprehensive ADO-TCM framework, analyzes the structured levels of different institutions and their predictors and identifies the key trends governing research in this field. The main objective of this research is to identify and analyze institutions that contribute to the development of entrepreneurial activities and also to examine the mutual relationship between institutions and entrepreneurship at the level of different regions
Case study
The statistical population of the present research includes all articles published in the field of regional entrepreneurship and institutions in the Scopus scientific database during the time period 1990-2024.
Materials and Methods
The present research employs a framework-based systematic review method. The main approach is using the integrated ADO-TCM framework, which enables structured content analysis and comprehensive synthesis of studies. The central research question focuses on what and how institutions and regional entrepreneurship are related.
Discussion and Results
This research is one of the first studies conducted in Persian focusing on the integrated ADO-TCM framework in the field of regional entrepreneurship. After searching for selected keywords (along with applied restrictions) in the Scopus scientific database, 627 articles were identified, and finally, with the application of a fundamental restriction (the presence of the words "institution" and "regional entrepreneurship" in the title, abstract, or keywords), the number of analyzable articles was reduced to 29, and the research framework was identified. The analysis of selected articles was conducted using the combined ADO-TCM framework, and articles were critically examined from various dimensions such as antecedents or predictors; decisions; outcomes; theories; context; and methodology. The identified antecedents were categorized into 3 levels: (1) institutional relationships; (2) institutional level; and (3) type of effective (functional) institutions. These antecedents lead to decisions based on (1) beliefs and norms and (2) institutional structure, and the decisions made in turn have consequences for (1) entrepreneurship and (2) institutions. From a theoretical perspective, articles related to regional entrepreneurship and institutions consist of institutional theory as the main theoretical body of studies and 9 other theories including: agency theory; market-supporting federalism theory; cluster theory; process theory; resource dependency theory; ecofeminism theory; knowledge spillover theory; growth regime theory; and endogenous growth theory. In terms of the context under study, the selected articles are distributed across regions in the UK (n=7); United States (n=4); China (n=3); Austria (n=2); Germany (n=2); Russia (n=2); Switzerland (n=2); Belgium (n=1); Indonesia (n=1); and others (n=4). Also, in terms of methodology, the research was analyzed from two dimensions of research method and time framework, which indicates the dominance of the mixed approach in terms of research method as well as longitudinal studies in terms of time framework. Institutional quality at the regional level has a direct impact on spatial patterns of entrepreneurship and the geographical distribution of innovative activities. Regions with efficient institutions, high transparency in administrative processes, and strong institutional support typically experience higher rates of entrepreneurship and success of startups.
Conclusion
The analyses conducted using the ADO-TCM framework show that antecedent factors affecting regional entrepreneurship can be categorized into three main levels: institutional relationships, institutional level, and types of functional institutions. These antecedent factors lead to decisions that are primarily based on two axes: decisions based on beliefs and norms, and decisions based on institutional structures. The outcomes of these decisions are also manifested in two main areas: outcomes that directly affect entrepreneurial activities and outcomes that influence institutional structures. From a theoretical perspective, institutional theory was identified as the main framework for studies in this field, but 9 other theories including agency theory, market-supporting federalism, cluster theory, process theory, resource dependency theory, ecofeminism, knowledge spillover theory, growth regime theory, and endogenous growth theory have also played roles in explaining the complex relationships between institutions and regional entrepreneurship. The geographical distribution of studies shows that most research has been conducted in Britain (7 cases), the United States (4 cases), and China (3 cases), which may indicate the importance of the topic in advanced and emerging economies. From a methodological perspective, mixed approaches and longitudinal studies have been dominant in this field, demonstrating the complexity of relationships and the need for multidimensional and long-term investigations. The findings of this research confirm that institutional quality at the regional level has a direct impact on spatial patterns of entrepreneurship and the geographical distribution of innovative activities. Regions with efficient institutions, high transparency in administrative processes, and strong institutional support typically experience higher rates of entrepreneurship and success of startups. Additionally, the dynamic interaction between local institutions, universities, research and development centers, and the private sector leads to the creation of dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems in which regional competitive advantages are strengthened and technological innovations are facilitated. Finally, this study shows that regional entrepreneurship and institutions interact in a complex and multidimensional relationship. As new institutionalists like Douglas North argue, institutions as the "rules of the game" in society form structural constraints that can act as both facilitators and barriers to entrepreneurial activities. Formal institutions such as tax laws, business regulations, property rights, and government support policies provide a defining legal framework for the formation and development of entrepreneurial activities at the regional level.