Ecosystem Interrupted: How Waste, Culture, and Corruption are Stifling Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Eastern Kentucky

Abstract

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem studies abound, as this is currently a popular topic. It is important to
understand the elements necessary to facilitate entrepreneurship and enhance the standard of living in communities. However, this research examines the phenomenon from the perspective of why it is so difficult for Eastern Kentucky to develop an effective entrepreneurship ecosystem, despite all of the efforts and resources brought to bear over the past fifty years. Statistics and peer-reviewed research were used to establish the results. The findings indicate corruption and a non-entrepreneurial culture are major factors, with deficiencies in all the domains of an entrepreneurship ecosystem.