We take pride at Lancaster in how we engage with our region. The Civic University agenda may have emerged in the last decade, but for much longer Lancaster University Management School has worked with businesses and individuals across the North West of England. One of our main contributions has been collaborations with entrepreneurs. We encourage learning, spark networking and new connections, and help to improve the area. This role as an anchor institution brings us into the orbit of local and national government, community groups, rural and urban organisations. It has been transformational for all involved. And it is a way of operating that fits perfectly into new ways of thinking on how to solve the grand societal challenges. As we tackle climate change and continuing (even increasing) economic inequality, we must transform how we view entrepreneurship and regional development – and how we plan for the future. Entrepreneurship is being reimagined as a tool for social change, community empowerment, and sustainable regional growth. As we know at Lancaster, universities have an essential role. NEW PERSPECTIVES Entrepreneurship has long been celebrated as a driver of economic growth. It is celebrated as a dynamic and transformative force. But its benefits are often unevenly distributed, reinforcing inequalities. In our new book, we ask what if entrepreneurship could spark social transformation? What if it could help address regional disparities, empower marginalised communities, and foster more inclusive economies? When strategically harnessed, we believe entrepreneurship can help to bring about positive change for communities. Entrepreneurship’s role in regional development needs to be reframed. We must address how it can be leveraged in a way that ensures long-term benefits for all – we cannot continue to see entrepreneurship as being predominantly about young white men in tech-based initiatives in big cities in the Global North. When we talk about ‘place’ in entrepreneurship, we must go beyond geographical location to encompass the social context within which entrepreneurial action can emerge. No region is homogeneous – disparities in knowledge, skills, market opportunities, and institutional support create diverse developmental trajectories. When aligned with local values and supported by inclusive policies, entrepreneurship can help regions build resilience, foster innovation, and create meaningful opportunities for all. WIDER UNDERSTANDING Traditionally, regional development is predominantly contextualised through an economic lens, emphasising job creation, growth, and industrial productivity. This is reinforced by policy frameworks aimed at stimulating economic expansion and investment. But economic growth alone does not guarantee equitable prosperity, social cohesion, or environmental sustainability. A region experiencing strong economic growth may simultaneously face challenges such as inadequate access to education, healthcare disparities, and cultural marginalisation. Alongside economic measures such as GDP growth, job creation, and investment metrics, we need to assess health outcomes, life expectancy and quality of life, environmental sustainability, social cohesion, overall wellbeing, air quality, and pollution levels. There are other issues with the current situation. Historically, development policies have often followed a topdown approach, favouring urban centres, large enterprises, and politically influential actors. This exacerbates intra-regional disparities. Instead, they should be rooted in the unique histories, cultures, and needs of each region. The active involvement of grassroots organisations and community-led initiatives is crucial for ensuring strategies align with local needs and aspirations. Concepts and ideas developed in one setting must allow for flexibility elsewhere. Rural areas benefit from different models to high-density hightech urban clusters, for example. Support mechanisms need to align with regional strengths rather than trying to replicate what has worked elsewhere. Not everywhere can be Silicon Valley. Policies must be tailored to local realities. This means supporting social enterprises, cooperatives, and 8 |
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