Maria Kubara (p)

The aim of this study is to investigate the interactions between technological startups in urban spaces, with a specific focus on the distinction between formal and informal connections. Utilizing Social Network Analysis (SNA) methods, this study measures network topology and examines the impact of informal interactions on the startup ecosystem. Results indicate that informal interactions are more crucial than formal connections for young companies. The spatial weight matrix (SWM) is employed as a source of information about informal connectedness in the urban entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shape the startup ecosystem. This study contributes to the field of urban entrepreneurship and regional science by examining the role of informal interactions in shaping the startup ecosystem and providing a novel approach to utilizing insights from SWM as a description of a network topology.

Anastasia Patsouri (p), Leonidas Doukissas, Ioannis (Yannis) Psycharis

This paper aims to examine the geography of start-ups in Athens and Berlin. Start-ups are considered as a policy tool that could be used for the enhancement of job opportunities and career trajectories, promotion of entrepreneurial activity, and stimulating the economic activity after a recession. The paper is twofold: first to focus on the connections between Universities and entrepreneurial activity of the graduates and second to examine the location of start-ups along with other attributes of the start-ups such as the sector and volume of economic activity, niche market orientation, level of digitalization and technological thickness among others. The study is built on statistical data that are collected from the respective authorities of selected Universities in Athens and Berlin. Results show that there are quite a lot of differences between the two cases. The promotion of entrepreneurial activity of graduates has a longer tradition in Berlin than in Athens. As regards the location choices and geographical clustering of enterprises, point-pattern analysis shows that start-ups in Athens are more clustered at the city center of the metropolitan area, while location choices are more dispersed in Berlin. These findings call for more in-depth research with broadening the sample, complementing the analysis with qualitative research and make the findings meaningful and robust.

Orsa Kekezi (p)

Abstract: This paper examines the heterogeneity in the returns to commuting for employees by using firm relocations as a quasi-natural experiment. The empirical design allows the commuting distance of workers to be exogenously affected by the relocation of the workplace they are currently employed at, controlling for location of residence. Our findings show that overall, there are no returns to commuting in Sweden. However, the heterogeneity analyses suggest the existence of an earning premium of commuting for highly educated workers, firms in the service sector and those located in the largest cities.