Entrepreneurial ecosystems and actor legitimacy

Purpose This study contributes to a better understanding of the important actor-specific, micro-level legitimacy dimensions in dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). Design/methodology/approach Using an embedded case approach and rich longitudinal data collected over 16 years within French EE, analyzes gaining process two actors coming from opposite founding conditions. Findings Three (3L) are necessary be accepted as functional EEs: institutional (IL) refers EE's acceptance actor institution active field entrepreneurship; cultural (CL) means that is recognized possessing promoting values considered appropriate by community; relational (RL) relates willingness community interact with actor. These complementary members EEs need possess acquire full legitimacy. Different paths possible achieve this Research limitations/implications Replicating comparative including more could represent interesting avenue for research. Practical implications research provides insights into underlying EEs, how various gain such contexts influences dynamics EEs. Originality/value The results provide novel issue theory general.