Digital Innovation Ecosystem Research Articles

Research on the mechanism of digital innovation ecosystem embeddedness on the digital innovation performance of complementary enterprises: evidence from China

PurposeIn the era of the digital economy, the digital innovation ecosystem is an important vehicle to alleviate enterprises' resource and capability constraints and thus improve their digital innovation performance. Embedding digital innovation ecosystems for survival and development opportunities has become a new strategic choice for enterprises. However, how digital innovation ecosystem embeddedness affects the digital innovation performance of complementary enterprises has not yet been fully revealed. This study examines whether digital innovation ecosystem embeddedness affects the digital innovation performance of complementary enterprises through ambidextrous capabilities (exploration and exploitation) and the moderating role of strategic flexibility.Design/methodology/approachA field survey was conducted in China, collecting survey data from 578 complementary enterprises in advanced manufacturing industries embedded in digital innovation ecosystems. This study applies multiple regression analysis to verify the relevant hypotheses.FindingsThe results confirmed that (1) digital innovation ecosystem embeddedness has a significant positive effect on complementary enterprises' digital innovation performance; (2) Ambidextrous capabilities play a partial mediating role in the relationship between digital innovation ecosystem embeddedness and complementary enterprises' digital innovation performance. (3) Strategic flexibility positively moderates the effect of digital innovation ecosystem embeddedness on ambidextrous capabilities and digital innovation performance.Practical implicationsThe findings, intended to guide enterprises that complement the digital innovation ecosystem to achieve digital innovation and performance improvement, highlight the importance of eco-embedded strategies, ambidextrous capabilities and strategic flexibility.Originality/valueThe finding enriches antecedent research on digital innovation performance and provides practical insights for firms to embed themselves in digital innovation ecosystems to improve performance.

Enhancing the energy level of regional digital innovation ecosystems: A configuration perspective.

This study introduces the concept of "energy level" into the analysis of innovation ecosystems. Drawing on the theory of "architects", we have identified the key architects of regional digital innovation ecosystems. By integrating Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we examined the configuration effects of internal architects, external architects, and digital innovation habitats on the energy level of these ecosystems, utilizing data from 30 provinces in China as case studies. The results indicate that the contribution of a single architect to achieving a high energy level in a regional digital innovation ecosystem is limited and cannot be regarded as a necessary condition for driving a high energy level. However, core innovation actors and digital infrastructures emerge as more significant core conditions. The architects of regional digital innovation ecosystems exhibit multiple concurrent causal relationships. The configuration paths of high and non-high energy levels of ecosystems display a causally asymmetric "multiple paths to the same outcome" relationship. The three identified paths for driving high energy levels are categorized as "core actor-infrastructure"-driven paths. The findings of this paper hold substantial theoretical and practical significance for fostering the healthy development of regional digital innovation ecosystems.

Artificial Intelligence, Smart Applications and Sustainable Consumption: A Theoretical Overview

Sustainable consumption means consuming natural resources consciously, considering future generations. In today's technological age, artificial intelligence and smart applications are used to achieve sustainability goals. In this context, this article examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart applications on promoting sustainable consumption behavior. Providing a comprehensive theoretical framework, this article explores how AI technologies support informed decision-making, maximize resource management, and deliver positive environmental impact across a variety of industries. Through a variety of examples, from energy management plans to environmentally friendly retail platforms, the effects of artificial intelligence and smart applications on sustainable consumption are highlighted. This article includes examples of smart applications used to promote sustainable consumption around the world and in Türkiye. Natural challenges that need to be overcome, such as algorithmic biases, data privacy issues and the digital divide, are also mentioned. The article offers recommendations for Türkiye, highlighting the importance of financing digital infrastructure, data privacy laws, digital literacy initiatives and innovation ecosystems, with the aim of emphasizing the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart applications for sustainable consumption.

Enhancing the resilience of regional digital innovation ecosystems: a pathway analysis from the lens of resource orchestration theory

Enhancing the resilience of regional digital innovation ecosystems: a pathway analysis from the lens of resource orchestration theory

Beating around the bush over knowledge sabotage: the fatal flaw in increasing digital innovation ecosystem performance through innovation capability under technological turbulence

PurposeThe objective of this article is to analyze the mediating role of innovation capability—both radical and incremental—between technological turbulence and digital innovation ecosystem performance, considering the impact of cross-organizational knowledge sabotage. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding digitization, the high failure rate (80%) of digital transformation projects has received limited attention. This alarming statistic indicates a potential rise in opportunistic behaviors within organizations. We hypothesize that employees seeking to reduce the risk of being displaced by digital technologies, may not only hide knowledge, as previously observed, but also engage in knowledge sabotage by disseminating inaccurate information during the co-creation of digital innovations within the digital innovation ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed structural equation modeling to examine moderated mediation using survey data collected from 148 firms, mainly from sectors of high to medium levels of digital intensity.FindingsThe most significant finding indicates that cross-organizational knowledge sabotage considerably reduces the only mediating effect, namely that of incremental innovation capability.Originality/valueOur study presents a novel perspective by investigating the phenomenon of cross-organizational knowledge sabotage. Unlike prior research, which primarily identified the existence of knowledge hiding, our findings suggest that employees are not only willing to withhold information but also to disseminate inaccurate information to external partners. Consequently, our research extends the boundaries of the existing knowledge field by demonstrating that cross-organizational knowledge sabotage has repercussions that extend beyond intra-organizational impacts, as previously recognized. It also adversely affects the outcomes of collaborative work within the digital innovation ecosystem.

Government support, employee structure and organisational digital innovation: Evidence from China

Digital innovation activities are data-driven, and the process of organizational digital innovation is inevitably influenced by their key participants, employees, as well as changes in the social institutional environment. How government support and employee structure impact organisational digital innovation was examined in this study. Since digital innovation activities are data-driven, the mediating role of data flows within digital innovation ecosystems was explored. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected by a survey from 299 firms in China. Results of structural equation modelling using SPSS and AMOS reveal that government support for enterprises in terms of policies and services, as well as the employee structure within enterprises, have a direct impact on organisational digital innovation. Data flows within digital innovation ecosystems mediate the relationship between government support and organisational digital innovation activities. Our findings provided evidence for theories of digital innovation ecosystems and employee-driven digital innovation. The results and conclusions in this study can provide reference for enterprises to achieve digital innovation breakthroughs, and for policymakers to formulate digital-related policies and regulations.

Governance path of the digital innovation ecosystem in advanced manufacturing cluster: a case study of China’s Tai-Xin Integrated Economic Zone

Governance path of the digital innovation ecosystem in advanced manufacturing cluster: a case study of China’s Tai-Xin Integrated Economic Zone

Transformative smart rural tourism in adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

The coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the need for sustainable, smart tourism and local travel, with rural destinations gaining in their popularity and leading to increased potential of smart rural tourism. However, these processes need adjustments to the current trends, incorporating new transformative business concepts and marketing approaches. In this paper we provide real life examples of new marketing approaches, together with new business models within the context of the use of new digital technologies. Via hermeneutic research approach, consisting of the secondary analysis of the addressed subject of smart rural tourism in adversity of the COVID-19 and 6 semi-structured interviews, the importance of technology is underscored in transforming rural tourism to smart rural tourist destinations. The respondents in the interview section were chosen based on their direct involvement in the presented examples and geographical location, i.e. France, Slovenia and Spain, where presented research examples were developed, concretely within European programmes, i.e. Interreg, Horizon and Rural Development Programme (RDP). Interviews were taking place between 2022 and 2023 in person, email or via Zoom. This two-phased study demonstrates that technology is important in transforming rural tourism to smart tourist destinations and that it ushers new approaches that seem particularly useful in applying to rural areas, creating a rural digital innovation ecosystem, which acts as s heuristic rural tourist model that fosters new types of tourism, i.e. smart rural tourism.

Digitalization trends and expectations in Ukraine from a European perspective

Abstract This paper examines the comprehensive digital transformation initiatives undertaken by the Government of Ukraine between 2020 and 2025, focusing on policy frameworks, infrastructure development, and strategic planning in various sectors. Through legislative measures and infrastructure projects, Ukraine has positioned itself as a leader in digital innovation, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) integration. The adoption of AI technologies across education, economics, cybersecurity, defense, public administration, and legal regulation demonstrates a concerted effort to modernize and optimize key aspects of governance and economic activity. Furthermore, Ukraine’s collaboration with European institutions and participation in initiatives such as the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and the Digital Europe program highlight its commitment to aligning with European standards and fostering international cooperation. The paper also discusses the role of international support, particularly from the European Union and USAID, in bolstering Ukraine’s digital resilience and innovation ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships and domestic initiatives, Ukraine aims to harness the potential of digital technologies for economic growth, societal advancement, and resilience against emerging threats.

The Linkage Between Digital Transformation and Organizational Culture: Novel Machine Learning Literature Review Based on Latent Dirichlet Allocation

AbstractOrganizational culture is a crucial component of innovation in company success, particularly in the setting of the information economy. The purpose of this research is to conduct a bibliometric analysis in order to identify dominant research topics, their potential shifts, and recent developments in the fields of organizational culture and digital transformation. It demonstrates a machine learning–supported method for identifying and segmenting the current state of this research field. The literature was identified from the Scopus database through a search query. The analyzed amount of papers (3065) was published in 1619 sources (journals, proceedings, books, etc.) with various research impacts. Identifying the dominant research topics resulted in eight topics: Social Media Connectivity; Digital Innovation Ecosystems; Socio-economic Sustainability; Digital Workforce Transformation; Digital Competence and Cultural Transformation; Knowledge, Culture, and Innovation; Data and Resource Management; and Digital Transformation Maturity. The results showed a shift in the research field on organizational culture related to digital transformation towards the subject area of business, management, and accounting, with increasing research interest and impact for the Digital Workforce Transformation as well as for the Knowledge, Culture, and Innovation topics.

How does institutional theory illuminate the influence of the digital economy on R&D networks?

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explore how an innovation organization's orientation toward the digital economy influences its position within R&D networks. By using institutional theory, the study aims to forecast market changes and understand how organizations can navigate the digital economy to secure essential resources and minimize dependencies.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a longitudinal panel dataset with 11,763 entries from 1995 to 2018, covering strategic emerging industries in China to analyze the impact of digital economy orientation on R&D networks. Utilizing advanced statistical models, it assesses the role of the legal environment as a moderator. This methodological approach facilitates a robust examination of the nexus between digital orientation and network dynamics within the context of institutional theory.FindingsThe study reveals that an organization's digital economy orientation enhances its centrality in R&D networks but reduces its control over structural holes. The legal environment negatively moderates the impact of digital economy orientation on network centrality, while positively influencing the relationship with network structural holes. These findings offer new insights into how institutional forces shape the strategic positioning of organizations in R&D collaborations.Originality/valueThis research offers a fresh perspective on the digital economy's impact on R&D networks, particularly in the Industry-University-Research (IUR) context. It extends the discourse by integrating institutional theory to elucidate the adaptation of R&D networks in the digital era. By identifying the legal environment as a moderator, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the strategic alignment within networks influenced by digital advancements. The unique focus on China's R&D networks presents a valuable contribution to the global discussion on digital integration and innovation ecosystems, highlighting the intersection of policy, academia, and industry in shaping research and development trajectories.

Decoding the digital leap: Exploring the role of global value chains in driving country-level digitalization

This study employs a dynamic bootstrap corrected fixed effects model to investigate the impact of Global Value Chain (GVC) participation and its components (forward and backward participation) on digitalization across 47 economies from 2001 to 2018. The findings indicate that GVC participation significantly enhances digitalization in countries with lower economic growth by facilitating access to advanced technologies and global networks, thereby accelerating their digitalization efforts. Conversely, in countries with higher economic growth, the effects of GVC participation on digitalization appear negligible, suggesting that these economies may already possess robust digital infrastructures. Notably, backward participation hinders digitalization in lower-growth countries, whereas it positively impacts higher-growth countries. Forward participation, however, distinctly benefits digitalization in lower-growth economies but does not show significant effects in more advanced ones. These nuanced outcomes underline the importance of tailoring policy interventions to the specific economic context of a country. Policymakers are recommended to support GVC integration in developing economies as a strategic approach to boost digitalization, while in more developed economies, policies should focus on enhancing existing digital capabilities and innovation ecosystems. This study's insights advocate for nuanced, context-specific policies to leverage GVC participation as a digital transformation and economic development catalyst.

Multi-group symbiotic evolutionary mechanisms of a digital innovation ecosystem: Numerical simulation and case study.

In the digital innovation ecosystem, the symbiosis mode formed between ecosystem members not only relates to their survival and development but also affects the ecosystem's symbiosis evolution mechanism. Based on symbiosis theory, this study first explores the evolutionary equilibrium strategy and its stability for three types of populations-core enterprises, digital platforms, and university research institutes-and then uses numerical simulation and a case study to explore the symbiotic evolution mechanism of the digital innovation ecosystem. The results show that: First, the digital innovation ecosystem is a complex adaptive system in which the three types of populations form different symbiotic relationships under different symbiotic modes and conduct symbiotic activities, such as value co-creation, to characterize the unique symbiotic evolutionary structure. Second, in this ecosystem, the symbiotic relationship formed by the combined values of different symbiotic coefficients between populations determines the outcome of symbiotic evolution. Third, the ideal direction of the evolution of the digital innovation ecosystem is a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. Thus, the symbiotic relationship between populations should be transformed into a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships as much as possible. This study makes theoretical contributions by shedding light on the symbiotic evolution mechanism of the digital innovation ecosystem. It also offers countermeasures for the digital innovation cooperation of various stakeholders in China's digital innovation ecosystem.

Mobile Payment Innovation Ecosystem and Mechanism: A Case Study of Taiwan’s Servicescapes

This paper examines how businesses in Taiwan’s servicescapes are adapting to the growing trend of mobile payments and innovation ecosystems. Through the analysis of four case studies, we uncover the strategies these firms employ to address the challenges posed by changing consumer payment habits. Our research reveals that these companies are establishing efficient mechanisms within their ecosystems, supported by well-structured organizational frameworks. By leveraging innovation ecosystems, they are reshaping financial services and promoting collaborative growth among participants through technology, platforms, resource sharing, and knowledge exchange. This collaborative approach is driving significant changes in the sector, helping these businesses navigate through various challenges while fostering innovation and growth. Additionally, the scarcity of comprehensive observations of the digital payment ecosystem highlights the necessity for further exploration of actor interactions, regulatory mechanisms, and ecosystem management strategies. Such research efforts are crucial for enhancing our understanding of the evolving landscape of digital payments and innovation ecosystems, facilitating informed decision-making and promoting sustainable development in this dynamic industry.

Enhancing Digital Innovation Ecosystem Resilience through the Interplay of Organizational, Technological, and Environmental Factors: A Study of 31 Provinces in China Using NCA and fsQCA

Digital innovation ecosystems are currently experiencing a period of growth and are navigating uncertain environments. Improving resilience is an important prerequisite for ensuring sustainable developments. This study, based on the technology, organization, and environment (TOE) framework, examines the impact of multilevel antecedent conditions on digital innovation ecosystem resilience using data from 31 Chinese provinces. By applying a necessary condition analysis (NCA) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study reveals complex causal relationships between five antecedents at the “technology–organization–environment” levels and digital innovation ecosystem resilience, along with the improvement paths of digital innovation ecosystem resilience. The results show the following: Firstly, individual antecedent conditions alone do not constitute necessary conditions for high or non-high digital innovation ecosystem resilience. Secondly, there are five configuration paths leading to high digital innovation ecosystem resilience, namely, a digital technology-enabled organization–environment-driven type (H1a), an organization–environment dual-wheel-driven type (H1b), a digital technology-led environment-driven type (H2), a technology–organization–environment trilateral type (H3), and a pressure–organization-driven type (H4). Thirdly, three configuration paths result in non-high digital innovation ecosystem resilience, exhibiting an asymmetric relationship with paths associated with the configuration paths of high digital innovation ecosystem resilience. Finally, potential substitution relationships exist among antecedent conditions at the technological, organizational, and environmental levels.

Study on the symbiosis evolution mechanism of the digital innovation ecosystem: considering government regulation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the symbiotic evolution decisions of digital innovation enterprises, research institutes and the government in the digital innovation ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachBased on innovation ecosystem theory and an evolutionary game model, this study constructs a tripartite symbiotic evolution game model of digital innovation ecosystems with digital innovation enterprises, research institutes and the government as the main bodies and analyzes the influencing factors as well as the evolution paths of the different behavioral strategies of each subject through numerical simulation.FindingsThe research shows that the digital innovation ecosystem has the characteristic of self-organization, which requires the symbiotic cooperation of each subject. The government plays an active role in any stage of symbiotic evolution, and the system cannot enter symbiosis under a low level of subsidies and penalties. Only when the initial willingness to cooperate of digital innovation enterprises and scientific research institutes is at a medium or high level is the system likely to become symbiotic. While digital innovation enterprises are more sensitive to government subsidies and punishments, scientific research institutes are more sensitive to the distribution proportion of cooperation income.Originality/valueThis study includes government regulation into the research scope, expands the research mode of the digital innovation ecosystem and overcomes the difficulties of empirical research in collecting dynamic large sample data. It vividly and systematically simulates the symbiotic evolution process of the digital innovation ecosystem, which provides a theoretical and practical reference for digital innovation ecosystem governance.

Study on the development status of the coupling of the digital innovation ecosystem and the digital economy

Abstract In recent years, the level of China’s digital economy development has been increasing, but the problem of low coordination between the digital innovation ecosystem and digital economy development still exists. This paper constructs the evaluation index system of the digital innovation ecosystem and digital economy development, respectively, and analyzes the development level of the digital innovation ecosystem and digital economy according to the entropy value method evaluation model. To explore the coupling development status of the digital innovation ecosystem and digital economy, the coupling development of the two is analyzed through the coupling degree model and the coupling coordination degree model. According to relevant calculations, from 2017 to 2023, the average development composite index of China’s digital innovation ecosystem 0.3189 increased by 0.4920, and the average development composite index of the digital economy rose from 0.1622 to 0.3524. The coupling degree between the national digital innovation ecosystem and the digital economy increased from 0.2125 to 0.64319, with an obvious increase in the coupling degree. The degree of coupling coordination between the two regions is specifically characterized by a gradual decrease from the eastern areas to the western regions, with certain regional differences.

Digital innovation ecosystem and innovation of SMEs: A case study of Anker

Digital technology has changed the original product form, the way of new product production process, business model and organizational form, and even overturned the basic assumptions of many innovation theories. Embedding digital innovation ecosystem makes it possible for small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises to create value from the production side in the industrial era to the demand side in the digital economy era. Through a typical vertical case analysis, this paper reveals the internal mechanism and process of digital innovation ecosystem enpowers the innovation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. The research results show that the embedding of digital innovation ecosystem has a significant positive impact on the innovation performance of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, and value co-creation plays an intermediary role between digital innovation ecosystem and the innovation performance of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. This paper puts forward the innovation theoretical framework of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises from the perspective of digital innovation ecosystem.

A Study on Corporate Management Strategies for Downstream Innovation Ecosystems in the Context of Digital Economy

Abstract The rapid development of the digital economy makes the center of gravity of enterprise development accelerate from the consumer field to the production and manufacturing field, penetrating all aspects of the daily operation and management of an enterprise. This paper presents relevant management strategies by exploring the impact of the ecosystem model of enterprise management innovation on the impact of enterprise management in the digital context. In order to measure the comprehensive efficiency value, the efficiency value of capital absorption, and the efficiency value of investment after enterprise management, the theory of antagonistic cross-efficiency is introduced, the antagonistic cross-DEA model is constructed, and the evaluation steps of enterprise management effect are given. Using this model to empirically analyze the management effectiveness of China’s construction industry, enterprise performance=4.563+0.352*digital innovation ecosystem index+0.236* periodic cost+0.362*number of R&D personnel, and the digital innovation ecosystem is significantly related to enterprise performance. Finally, this paper designs a corporate management strategy for the digital innovation ecosystem in the context of the digital economy from three perspectives.

Research on Government Incentive and Enterprise Data Resource Sharing Strategies in Digital Innovation Ecosystems

Research on Government Incentive and Enterprise Data Resource Sharing Strategies in Digital Innovation Ecosystems