Workforce Sustainability And Its Impact On Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development: Evidence From Educational Institutions In Emerging Asian Economies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/4ezb1q82Keywords:
Entrepreneurial ecosystems, Innovation systems, Workforce sustainability, Human capital development, Startup readiness, Emerging Asian economiesAbstract
This study examines the role of workforce sustainability in shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems and innovation capacity in emerging Asian economies, with a specific focus on the impact of workload and administrative pressures on human capital development within educational institutions. In knowledge-driven economies, education systems serve as foundational pillars of entrepreneurship by developing entrepreneurial competencies, fostering innovation-oriented mindsets, and strengthening the startup pipeline. Teachers, as primary agents of human capital formation, play a critical role in influencing innovation outcomes and long-term economic growth.Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 200 teachers across public and private institutions, and analyzed using correlation and multiple regression techniques. The findings reveal that excessive workload significantly contributes to workforce instability and burnout, which in turn constrains the development of entrepreneurial competencies and reduces the effectiveness of innovation systems. Administrative pressure shows a moderate association but does not independently predict burnout when workload is considered.The study further demonstrates that workforce sustainability is a critical determinant of entrepreneurial ecosystem effectiveness, as it directly influences the development of entrepreneurial competencies, innovation capacity, and startup readiness within emerging Asian economies. These results indicate that unsustainable workforce conditions weaken the quality of human capital, thereby limiting the efficiency of entrepreneurial ecosystems and hindering innovation-driven economic growth.This study contributes to the literature by linking workforce sustainability with entrepreneurship, innovation systems, and ecosystem development in the Asian context. It highlights how institutional inefficiencies within education systems can disrupt the startup pipeline and reduce the capacity of economies to generate innovative and entrepreneurial outcomes. The findings offer important implications for policymakers and institutional leaders seeking to strengthen entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development through improved human capital management. This research contributes to entrepreneurship literature by positioning workforce sustainability as a foundational driver of entrepreneurial ecosystem performance.
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