Emplacing New Economy Businesses in Small Metropolitan Areas: Examination of Role of Place Constructs

Abstract

It is often argued that only large metropolitan areas possess the preconditions for the origination of successful technology companies. However, smaller cities across the country have been successful in developing vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems, thus contravening that observation. This case study presents one such city in order to further expand the conceptual understanding of what characteristics contribute to a thriving entrepreneurial scene. Previous research has identified multiple qualities related to culture, networks, and institutions as being important. It is argued that the attachment entrepreneurs develop with a location, as well as the location’s identity upon their business, are variables that might explain how seemingly globalized economic activity becomes emplaced.