Prize for the best 2025 communication proposal from the Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Congratulations to Pauline Brunner, senior lecturer at the University of Strasbourg, BETA, and her two co-authors, Sophie Casanova, senior lecturer at the University of Montpellier, Montpellier Management, MRM, and Karim Messeghem, professor at the University of Montpellier, Montpellier Management, MRM, for winning the prize for the best paper at the 14th Congress of the Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, held from June 25 to 27, 2025 in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.

Their prize-winning paper is entitled “Dynamiques relationnelles entre les sous-écosystèmes de l’accompagnement à la transmission-reprise en PME : une approche par les réseaux”. This research is being carried out within the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Lab Chair of Labex Entreprendre, with the support of the Montpellier Research Management and Montpellier Management.

Abstract: The transfer-takeover of businesses represents a major strategic challenge for maintaining economic activity and preserving jobs in the region. This research proposes an in-depth analysis of the transfer-takeover support ecosystem. Drawing on the theory of entrepreneurial ecosystems and network analysis, the study is based on an exploratory qualitative methodology combining semi-structured interviews with professionals involved in the transfer-takeover process and a sociometric analysis of the links between these players. The study focused on a professional network run by the CCI, which has been in existence for over 14 years. The results show that the ecosystem is structured on three levels (micro, meso, macro). The study focuses on the meso level, and in particular on those involved in the transfer-takeover process. Sub-ecosystems are identified, each with its own identity, logic of action and specific interactions. Finally, the study highlights the importance of the role played by facilitators in the densification of relationships, particularly in more dispersed sub-ecosystems such as the Banking-Insurance SE. These results contribute to the literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems, and offer managerial perspectives for improving transfer-takeover support practices.