Event Details

Scholars and policymakers are increasingly interested in how entrepreneurship can create positive social and environmental impacts. In this seminar, we will examine how impact entrepreneurship (IE) is influenced by the unique resources of a given place. We will explore how and why local actors integrate historical context into their contemporary understanding of place, which in turn shapes their ability to derive value from the resources it offers.

This seminar will explore the literature on impact entrepreneurship (IE) through the lens of place. We will examine how this relationship functions at both the individual and collective levels, considering the historical legacies that influence current IE efforts. While we know that local actors leverage place-specific resources to drive IE, existing theories often overlook how place offers a unique agency to create value across multiple sectors (industry, academia, government, third sector, and the entrepreneurial sector). We aim to address this gap by applying the concept of an "ethic of place" from Geography to better understand the individual motives and collective actions that contribute to the reconstruction and revitalization of places.

The seminar will be informed by a paper currently being prepared for resubmission to Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Journal. This paper illustrates how various actors in Turin, Italy, contribute to activities and policies that foster impact entrepreneurship. The findings offer insights into how actors prioritize contemporary challenges based on the legacy of social sector organizations in the Piedmont region, particularly large, established philanthropic foundations. It also prompts reflections on how IE and place can be understood through the narratives and perceptions of individuals embedded in place.

Throughout the seminar, we will explore the tensions between place regeneration and IE, and examine ways to align IE efforts with the broader industrial and social context.