The interplay of entrepreneurial ecosystem actors and conditions in FinTech ecosystems: An empirical analysis

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of actors and ecosystem conditions in the development of the FinTech ecosystems in Tallinn and Moscow. METHODOLOGY: The study develops a framework for investigating entrepreneurial ecosystems, combining ecosystem actors with ecosystem conditions. The framework is implemented through a comparative case study of FinTech ecosystems in Tallinn and Moscow, with data drawn from 35 semi-structured interviews and processed by means of thematic analysis. The primary data is supplemented with data from secondary sources. FINDINGS: The findings show how the ecosystem conditions and actors are interdependent in the FinTech ecosystems. Tallinn is an example of a strong entrepreneurial culture with its small market, advanced technological infrastructure, and talent, which leads to the dominance of the FinTech start-ups and the emergence of an active FinTech cluster organization. In Moscow, the institutional context, concentration of financial capital, and its large home market with a loyal customer base limit start-ups’ ability to grow and form the ecosystem. IMPLICATIONS: The study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems and emerging technologies by integrating the streams of research on entrepreneurial ecosystems and FinTech ecosystems, combining FinTech actors with entrepreneurial ecosystem conditions. It also highlights the implications of variations of entrepreneurial culture, characteristics of the domestic demand and formal institutions in the development of ecosystems. It demonstrates that ecosystem conditions are likely to contribute to the emergence of the dominant actor in a particular ecosystem. Our results also suggest that when aiming to develop the FinTech ecosystem in a city, the support given to FinTech cluster organizations is essential. Facilitating university–industry cooperation through the cluster organizations or direct partnerships can contribute to the development of FinTech ecosystems. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: To our knowledge, this is the first study to illustrate how specific entrepreneurial ecosystem conditions lead to configurations with different types of ecosystem actors, and to illustrate how specific ecosystem conditions impact the way in which actors develop and operate and how the ecosystem configuration is structured. These have been notable omissions in extant entrepreneurial ecosystem research until now. The present study also illustrates sectoral variations in entrepreneurial ecosystems while highlighting the distinct features of emerging ecosystems. It also contributes to the emerging literature on FinTech ecosystems through a comparative empirical perspective, thereby enhancing understanding of local conditions necessary for developing and maintaining FinTech ecosystems in different contexts.