Yiji Su, Tongji University

Shaker A. Zahra, University of Minnesota

Vikas Kumar, University of Sydney

Sihong Wu, University of Auckland

The global entrepreneurial landscape is being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, realigning supply chains, technological disruption, digital progress, and long-term climate and demographic trends. As a leading engine of global economic growth, the Asia-Pacific is a critical arena in which these transformations unfold. This Collection aims to provide a platform for advancing theories, methodologies, and practices that enhance understanding of inclusive entrepreneurship in the region.

Potential topics

• Inclusive entrepreneurship in the Asia-Pacific region
• Entrepreneurial responses to geopolitical tensions
• Supply chain realignment and entrepreneurship
• Technological disruption and entrepreneurial innovation
• Digital progress and inclusive business models
• Climate and demographic trends affecting entrepreneurship
• Economic growth and inclusive entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific

Timeline

• August 31, 2026: Submission deadline

Max Roessler, University of Greifswald

Crhistian Joel González-Cuatianquis, Gran Sasso Science Institute

Stefania Fiorentino, University of Cambridge

Grete Gansauer, University of Wyoming

Recent political developments related to place-based feelings of discontent and left-behindness draw urgent attention toward building scholarly understanding of the emotional, discursive, and narrative dimensions of contemporary regional inequality. The rise of populist movements, growing anti-establishment sentiment, and regional polarization in the US, Europe and other parts of the world have motivated scholarly and policy action toward not only understanding the root causes of such dynamics, but also policy strategies to equalize socioeconomic prosperity in places perceived as 'left behind'. As political attitudes harboured in 'left behind' places propel electoral shifts, spatial divides, and declining trust in political institutions, there is a need for research on how regional disparities materialise in, through and with regard to distinct places. In particular, there is a need to (re)consider how policy solutions meant to address territorial inequalities can take the deeply rooted feelings, perceptions, and spatial imaginaries of 'left behind' places and peripheralized regions into account.

This Special Issue particularly addresses the significance of the perceptual dimension. We invite contributions which examine the role of spatial imaginaries, narratives, regional visions, identities, emotional geographies and effects associated with regional inequality and their interrelationship with policy responses as part of an 'ideational turn' within Regional Studies. By focusing on regional actors' perceptions and perceived regional futures, the SI explores the intersection of the feelings and material conditions influencing 'left-behindness' and the policies designed to address it.

This Special Issue highlights international spatial variations and manifestations of left-behindness and their interdependencies with psychological perceptions and local cultural embeddedness. By discussing the broader material and structural conditions of 'left-behindness', the Special Issue shifts the focus to the perceptual dimension and the role of spatial imaginaries, examining the subjective, emotional, and symbolic dimensions of left-behindness at different territorial levels. It aims to explore how narratives, imaginaries, and historical preconditions shape local identities, feelings of exclusion, and thus visions of regional futures. The Special Issue will welcome studies that offer new ways of thinking about left-behind places and political discontent, moving beyond economic metrics to explore the emotional, symbolic, and narrative dimensions that shape and are shaped by spatial inequalities and regional futures. All contributions should ground their analysis in regional and place-based context, ensuring coherence with the journal's mission and spatial focus.

The guest editorial team particularly encourages early-career scholars in geography, regional studies, public and regional policy, and related fields, bringing fresh perspectives to the discussion under the high publishing standards of Regional Studies. Furthermore, submissions examining perceptions of 'left behind-ness' from the Global South are encouraged. Conceptual, theoretical and empirical submissions, both qualitative and quantitative, as well as case studies from different regions in the world are welcome.

Potential topics

• Theorisations and empirical examples of perceived left-behindness
• Construction of narratives and imaginaries of and within 'left behind regions'
• Significance of regional identities, histories, or social memories within peripheralized places for perceptions of the future
• Material effects of spatial imaginaries, emotional associations of marginality, or feelings of discontent/left-behind-ness on regional development policy and planning
• Epistemological assumptions and methodologies to examine imaginaries, narratives and visions within 'left behind' places and policy
• Policy responses and best-practice examples to tackle feelings of perceived left-behindness, and/or empowering local agencies, contrasting feelings of neglect and institutional mistrust
• The commonalities and differences of spatial imaginaries and perceptions of left-behindness across a variety of geographies (e.g., Global North versus Global South)

Timeline

• February 28, 2026: Extended abstract deadline
• September 11, 2026: Full manuscript submission deadline