Ecosystem Configurations Research Articles

Enablers for circular ecosystem transformation: A multi-case study of Brazilian circular ecosystems

Although a growing research stream indicates that many firms have transformed their ecosystems toward a circular ecosystem, the current scholarship provides limited theoretical and empirical insights into the enablers of this transformation process. In order to clarify some of these enablers, our research settings consisted of 7 focal firms engaged in transforming their business ecosystems into circular ecosystems. We adopted a theoretical sampling to perform longitudinal research from 2008 until 2023. Building on rich multiple case studies, we identify four categories of enablers: affiliation, interdependence, alignment, and ecosystem engineering. Based on these themes, we propose a new theoretical framework that characterizes theoretical and empirical insights regarding how to facilitate circular ecosystem transformation. The proposed framework opens up new opportunities to explore potential enablers to leverage circular ecosystem configurations, which are unique and whose multidirectional value alignment is much more challenging than a single firm's structures.

The interdependence between the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Entrepreneurial Culture - An analysis with sustainable and traditional entrepreneurs

The Cultural dimension remains the most puzzling element within the dynamics of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EE). Because cultural features have pervasive effects on the behavior of individuals and organizations, assessing the interplay between Culture and other components of EE becomes matter of critical interest. This is particularly relevant vis-à-vis the quest for sustainable transitions in these productive structures. Following this background, this research aims to identify the main elements of the entrepreneurial ecosystem that influence entrepreneurial culture when comparing ‘traditional’ and sustainable entrepreneurs. We model these associations with the Grey Incidence Analysis (GIA) method. Data collection was carried out in 2023 with a sample of 245 projects approved in the Innovative Research in Small Businesses (PIPE) program in Brazil. Findings indicate that sustainable entrepreneurs exhibit distinct patterns in the entrepreneurial ecosystem configurations conducive to fostering a robust entrepreneurial culture. Notably, the elements of the ecosystem exerting the most pronounced influence are intricately tied to governmental support. These elements primarily affect the sense of self-sufficiency, autonomy, personal initiative, and the propensity to take risks. This research expands the notion of culture within the entrepreneurial ecosystem and presents insights into required elements to promote sustainable transitions in EE. Accordingly, our findings offer novel insights for EE policy concerning UN Sustainable Development Goals, thereby providing practical guidance for policymakers and professionals in the field.

Simulating the Thermal Regime and Surface Energy Balance of a Permafrost‐Underlain Forest in Mongolia

AbstractForests overlap with large parts of the northern hemisphere permafrost area, and representing canopy processes is therefore crucial for simulating thermal and hydrological conditions in these regions. Forests impact permafrost through the modulation of radiative fluxes and exchange of turbulent fluxes, precipitation interception and regulation of transpiration. Forests also feature distinct soil layers of litter and organic matter, which play central roles for the infiltration and evaporation of water, while also providing thermal insulation for deeper ground layers. In this study, we present a new module within the CryoGrid community model to simulate forest ecosystems and their impact on the surface water and energy balance. The module includes a big‐leaf vegetation scheme with adaptations for canopy heat storage and transpiration. Furthermore, we account for the effect of surface litter layers on water and energy transfer. We show that the model is capable of simulating radiation, snow cover and ground temperatures below a deciduous needleleaf forest on a north‐facing slope in the Khentii Mountains in Central Mongolia. A sensitivity analysis of topographic aspect and ecosystem configuration confirms the important role of the litter layers for the energy and water balance of the ground. Furthermore, it suggests that the presence of permafrost is primarily linked to topographic aspect rather than the presence of forest at this site. The presented model scheme can be used to study the development of the ground thermal regime in forests, including the state of permafrost, under different climate, ecosystem, and land use scenarios.

The role of platform ecosystem configuration toward performance bifurcation

The prevalence of digital ecosystems and platforms underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the factors that influence performance variations within these platforms. This study introduced a multidimensional model to examine the platform ecosystem characteristics that affect performance outcomes. To this end, it adopted the Lotka-Volterra complex system theory. The model was simplified into a one-dimensional framework, enabling the examination and prediction of the relationship between performance bifurcation and configurations of platform characteristics. This study provides practical insights and implications that extend beyond academia. The results reveal that high network threshold values indicate robust platform performance, suggesting resilience against collapse. Additionally, increasing the network effect influences platform performance by shifting competition strength toward prominent tipping-point locations, which is considered a desirable regime. The results further confirm that competition dampens a platform's exponential growth; however, cross-network effects enhance it. These insights have significant implications for investors, offering a practical vision that can inform managers' strategic decision-making. These findings provide a solid foundation for developing informed strategies to enhance platform performance. In a world in which digital ecosystems play a pivotal role, the implications of this study empower stakeholders to make data-driven decisions, fostering success in a dynamic and competitive digital business environment.

Co‐creating innovation ecosystems in contexts of absolute uncertainty: The case of low‐cost heart valves in India

AbstractThe development of innovations aimed at tackling grand challenges requires the support of an appropriate innovation ecosystem. However, there is a limited understanding of how such innovation ecosystems emerge in contexts of absolute uncertainty. We addressed this gap by examining the boundary work carried out by key actors in the creation of the biomedical innovation ecosystem in India that supported the development of a successful low‐cost heart valve over the 1976–1995 period. We developed a process model demonstrating how the ecosystem leader co‐created the innovation ecosystem that led to the development of a low‐cost heart valve by engaging in three types of configuration boundary work: establishing ecosystem configuration, modeling ecosystem configuration, and expanding ecosystem configuration. Our study contributes to the literature on innovations for grand challenges, innovation ecosystems, and boundary work.

Patterns of international organizations’ engagement in reform and policy making in the post-Soviet space

ABSTRACT The paper explains how states and international organisations interact in policy making by focusing on five countries of the post-Soviet space. Based on in-depth interviews conducted in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, we explore different patterns of state-IO interactions and explain the determinants of these patterns' formation. We demonstrate that these patterns arise from a combination of two country-level factors: political openness of the system and national regulation of international actors' involvement into the policy process. However, the patterns of state-IOs relations prove strongly mitigated by the intervening variable of the national reform ecosystem's configuration and resource endowment.

Investigating Entrepreneurial and Innovation Ecosystems for Conceptual Understanding and Practical Applications

This research paper addresses the lack of clarity and challenges in applying the ecosystem concept by systematically analyzing and comparing two complex conceptualizations of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. Through a literature synthesis, essential distinguishing characteristics are identified using an inductive approach, facilitating the understanding of ecosystem configurations. Clustering procedures are employed to identify distinct ecosystem groups, summarized in a table. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems to empower the research community and practitioners in developing effective ecosystem management approaches.

Regional Carbon Stock Response to Land Use Structure Change and Multi-Scenario Prediction: A Case Study of Hunan Province, China

Modifications in land use patterns exert profound influences on the configuration, arrangement, and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, thereby inducing fluctuations in carbon sequestration. Consequently, precise ecological decision-making and an in-depth exploration of the interplay between land use alterations and carbon storage dynamics assume paramount importance in the pursuit of optimal regional land use configurations. In this investigation, we employed the InVEST model to analyze the spatiotemporal variations in land utilization and carbon storage in Hunan Province, based on comprehensive land use data spanning the period from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, the PLUS model was utilized to project the future spatial distribution of carbon storage in Hunan Province until 2040, encompassing diverse development scenarios. The findings of our study are as follows: (1) Land use changes instantaneously impact carbon storage within the study area. From 2000 to 2020, urban construction land witnessed an expansion of 3542 km2, which accounted for an increase from 1.13% to 2.78% of the total land area. Consequently, there was a decline in arable land, woodlands, and grasslands, resulting in a reduction of 3430.25 tons of carbon storage in Hunan Province. (2) The ecological protection scenario is projected to yield the most substantial increase in carbon storage, with an estimated magnitude of 7.02 × 10⁶ tons by the year 2040. According to the natural evolution scenario, the total amount of carbon storage is anticipated to remain similar to that of 2020, with a marginal increase of 2.81 × 10⁵ tons. Under the arable land protection scenario, carbon storage is predicted to decrease by 1.060 × 10⁷ tons. Conversely, the urban development scenario is expected to result in the most substantial reduction of 2.243 × 10⁷ tons of carbon storage. These findings underscore the efficacy of adopting ecological protection and natural development policies in curbing the decline in carbon storage. (3) The geographic distribution of carbon storage areas exhibits a strong correspondence with that of land use. Regions characterized by elevated carbon storage levels exhibit minimal urban construction land, an abundance of compact and contiguous ecological land, and a higher frequency of such land parcels. To enhance regional carbon storage levels and achieve sustainable development goals, future endeavors should prioritize the implementation of ecological protection and natural development policies.

Figuring it out: configurations of high-performing entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe

ABSTRACT Is there only one type of successful entrepreneurial ecosystem? This paper applies qualitative comparative analysis to identify and analyse configurations of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe. We test two rivalling causal logics: a completeness logic stating that all entrepreneurial ecosystem elements need to be present and the weakest link is the most important constraint, and a substitutability logic arguing that elements are substitutable. High entrepreneurship outputs can be realised with different entrepreneurial ecosystem configurations. However, focusing on regions with the highest entrepreneurship outputs, our results point at the importance of a complete entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Cosmic Ray Processes in Galactic Ecosystems

Galaxy evolution is an important topic, and our physical understanding must be complete to establish a correct picture. This includes a thorough treatment of feedback. The effects of thermal–mechanical and radiative feedback have been widely considered; however, cosmic rays (CRs) are also powerful energy carriers in galactic ecosystems. Resolving the capability of CRs to operate as a feedback agent is therefore essential to advance our understanding of the processes regulating galaxies. The effects of CRs are yet to be fully understood, and their complex multi-channel feedback mechanisms operating across the hierarchy of galaxy structures pose a significant technical challenge. This review examines the role of CRs in galaxies, from the scale of molecular clouds to the circumgalactic medium. An overview of their interaction processes, their implications for galaxy evolution, and their observable signatures is provided and their capability to modify the thermal and hydrodynamic configuration of galactic ecosystems is discussed. We present recent advancements in our understanding of CR processes and interpretation of their signatures, and highlight where technical challenges and unresolved questions persist. We discuss how these may be addressed with upcoming opportunities.

Pioneering digital platform ecosystems: The role of aligned capabilities and motives in shaping key choices and performance outcomes

AbstractResearch SummaryWe inductively analyze rich qualitative and quantitative data on the global census of pioneering mobile money firms to examine how firm characteristics shape digital platform ecosystem configuration choices regarding (a) internal versus external integration and (b) the creation of network externalities through open versus closed end‐user access. In contrast to received wisdom, we find pioneering firms were equally likely to engage in external and internal integration; moreover, diversifying entrants were less likely to internally integrate than startups. We uncover the important role of motives, in addition to capabilities, for creating alignment between pioneering firms and their partners. Such alignment was key for addressing path‐dependent implementation challenges through experimentation and navigating nascent industry uncertainty for success.Managerial SummaryOur study showcases how enterprising firms pioneered and diffused mobile money, a digital platform that improves access to financial services. The successful take‐off and growth of this industry, as revealed by our inductive analysis, was contingent on aligned capabilities and motives among platform co‐providers and critical partners. We illuminate why and how pioneer capabilities and motives influenced key platform choices regarding internal versus external integration, and open versus closed end‐user access. These choices then created different implementation challenges. The successful pioneers navigated these challenges to create a robust ecosystem for network effects by engaging in two actions: they developed lasting partner relationships, and they experimented to determine distinct demand segments, identify unmet needs, and develop value propositions.

Circular ecosystem management: Orchestrating ecosystem value proposition and configuration

The transition of the traditional economy towards the circular economy (CE) is strongly linked to the emergence and development of ecosystems that produce a coherent circular value proposition. However, the literature on how firms create and manage circular ecosystems is unclear. We propose a theoretical framework for managing circular ecosystems involving autonomous yet interdependent actors that create and capture circular values. To achieve this goal, we conducted qualitative research through multiple case studies. Our theoretical framework proposes that firms proactively build a circular ecosystem value proposition. Our framework also identifies that firms employ a set of sub-processes to modify ecosystem configuration towards circularity: building circular governance, nurturing circular interdependence, promoting circular integration, and generating circular complementarity. Overall, our study contributes by proposing a new research field: circular ecosystem management.

Tackling the Grand Challenge of Climate Change with Ecosystem Innovation

Reflected in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global climate change is one of the grand challenges faced by humanity. While substantially more progress is required, technological developments in renewable electricity generation and complementary digital technologies in the electricity sector are opening up a path towards reaching climate-related SDGs. Yet, how heterogenous actors innovate and coordinate to translate these interdependent technological developments into value propositions at the necessary speed and scale remains elusive. To make sense of this puzzle we introduce an ecosystem innovation perspective incorporating multiple interdependent dimensions at both the technology and strategy level, enabling us to better capture the complex structural changes within the electricity sector. We calibrate our analysis through the study of 57 different collaborative pilots between 10 large international incumbent electric utilities and startups over a four-year period, in which they collaboratively experiment with different alignments of technologies and strategic roles adopted by incumbents, startups and customers (i.e. ecosystem configurations). Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis and additional interviews we identify three ecosystem configurations that contribute highly to climate-related SDGs: (1) digital platform innovation enhancing resource efficiency, (2) physical complementor innovation enabling renewable generation scaling, and (3) new orchestrator innovation allowing actors to share, trade and leverage information and resources. In a complementary analysis we further illuminate trade-offs that incumbents face between allocating resources towards ecosystem innovation for grand challenges versus linear value chain enhancements for capturing short term economic value. This study contributes to the literature by elaborating on (1) how ecosystem innovation may help to tackle the inherent interdependencies of grand challenges (2) the role of incumbent firms and their approach to innovation for managing grand challenges, and (3) the management of platform-based ecosystems in infrastructure-intensive settings. For managers we offer insights regarding how to innovate ecosystems for tackling grand challenges.

Innovation intermediaries as collaborators in shaping service ecosystems: The importance of dynamic capabilities

Innovation is increasingly a cocreative process centered on developing new solutions and (re)shaping service ecosystems. Recent research provides important insights into the capabilities keystone actors deploy to drive innovation in their role as a “shaper”. These studies highlight other non-focal actors as supporters of innovation, but their roles and capabilities in shaping service ecosystems are less clear. To address this gap, we study innovation intermediaries in the shaping of a service ecosystem that encompasses many service providers beyond a central keystone actor. Using data from multiple cases within a healthcare service ecosystem, we show how innovation intermediaries make connections among diverse organizations as both shapers and supporters of service-ecosystem shaping. Specifically, innovation intermediaries shape ecosystem configuration by organizing resources and relationships and support ecosystem governance by adapting institutional arrangements. Our data reveal that the integration of these shaper and supporter roles scaffold the enactment of a complex role of collaborator. This role is filtered through a recursive design feedback loop of reflexivity and reformation, and grounded in dynamic capabilities of sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring. We find that the collaborator role is critical for co-designing joint value propositions and advancing the efforts of keystone actors to shape service ecosystems.

Identification of ecosystem services supply and demand and driving factors in Taihu Lake Basin.

A comprehensive understanding of the multiple factors affecting ecosystem services (ESs) supply and demand balance is essential for effective ecosystem management and policy making. However, the importance of individual factors for ES balance is still unclear. Using Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) models and Structural Equation Modeling, I mapped the supply-demand balance of four types of ESs (carbon sequestration, water yield, soil conservation, and recreation) in Taihu Lake Basin, China, and quantified the causal relationships between multiple factors and ES balance. The results revealed spatial heterogeneity and imbalance in ES supply and demand in the basin, with the greatest imbalances in built-up city center areas. ES balance was influenced by multiple factors, but particularly normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), elevation, precipitation, and human disturbance. For appropriate watershed management in the future, it is recommended that numbers of small-scale community parks in city centers be increased and that green space be expanded in the suburbs, implementing multi-objective ES management systems and step-by-step implementation plans, and optimizing the configuration of natural ecosystems by creating buffer strips for built-up areas. By carefully managing ES supply-demand balance and associated influencing factors, ecosystem status and human well-being in Taihu Lake Basin, and in other similar basins, can be substantially improved.

The interplay of entrepreneurial ecosystem actors and conditions in FinTech ecosystems: An empirical analysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of actors and ecosystem conditions in the development of the FinTech ecosystems in Tallinn and Moscow. METHODOLOGY: The study develops a framework for investigating entrepreneurial ecosystems, combining ecosystem actors with ecosystem conditions. The framework is implemented through a comparative case study of FinTech ecosystems in Tallinn and Moscow, with data drawn from 35 semi-structured interviews and processed by means of thematic analysis. The primary data is supplemented with data from secondary sources. FINDINGS: The findings show how the ecosystem conditions and actors are interdependent in the FinTech ecosystems. Tallinn is an example of a strong entrepreneurial culture with its small market, advanced technological infrastructure, and talent, which leads to the dominance of the FinTech start-ups and the emergence of an active FinTech cluster organization. In Moscow, the institutional context, concentration of financial capital, and its large home market with a loyal customer base limit start-ups’ ability to grow and form the ecosystem. IMPLICATIONS: The study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems and emerging technologies by integrating the streams of research on entrepreneurial ecosystems and FinTech ecosystems, combining FinTech actors with entrepreneurial ecosystem conditions. It also highlights the implications of variations of entrepreneurial culture, characteristics of the domestic demand and formal institutions in the development of ecosystems. It demonstrates that ecosystem conditions are likely to contribute to the emergence of the dominant actor in a particular ecosystem. Our results also suggest that when aiming to develop the FinTech ecosystem in a city, the support given to FinTech cluster organizations is essential. Facilitating university–industry cooperation through the cluster organizations or direct partnerships can contribute to the development of FinTech ecosystems. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: To our knowledge, this is the first study to illustrate how specific entrepreneurial ecosystem conditions lead to configurations with different types of ecosystem actors, and to illustrate how specific ecosystem conditions impact the way in which actors develop and operate and how the ecosystem configuration is structured. These have been notable omissions in extant entrepreneurial ecosystem research until now. The present study also illustrates sectoral variations in entrepreneurial ecosystems while highlighting the distinct features of emerging ecosystems. It also contributes to the emerging literature on FinTech ecosystems through a comparative empirical perspective, thereby enhancing understanding of local conditions necessary for developing and maintaining FinTech ecosystems in different contexts.

Data-driven government: Cross-case comparison of data stewardship in data ecosystems

Government agencies are becoming more data-driven and need high-quality data to fulfill their roles in society. In the past, each agency organized its own data exchange system according to its own needs. Today, data is distributed over many organizations, and government agencies need to adopt an ecosystem approach for data exchange. Fundamental in the ecosystem approach is the dependence on other parties for the execution of stewardship strategies. Data-driven government agencies increasingly depend on other organizations for high-quality data and data stewardship across organizations is becoming more critical. While there is ample research on data stewardship within organizations, little is known about data stewardship in ecosystems. More specifically, it is unclear which data stewardship strategies government agencies can employ in ecosystems. The main goal of this explorative paper is to identify and compare data stewardship strategies used in empirical government-business ecosystems. Following an explorative case study approach, this paper reveals three different configurations of inter-organizational data stewardship: 1) the government-led ecosystem, 2) the government-business-led ecosystem, and 3) the regulation-led ecosystem. The case studies expose a wide array of data stewardship strategies across ecosystems. While the ecosystem approach provides advantages such as cost-sharing and innovation by private parties, government agencies become increasingly dependent on private parties to gain high-quality data and provide distributed infrastructure components. Maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of the ecosystem approach requires government agencies to be cautious when selecting a specific ecosystem configuration.

Cave paleozoology in the Judean Desert: assembling records of Holocene wild mammal communities

ABSTRACTLong temporal records of Holocene wild mammal communities are essential to examine the role of human impacts and climatic fluctuations in the configuration of modern ecosystems. We show that such records can be assembled through extensive radiocarbon dating of faunal remains obtained from biogenic cave deposits. We dated 110 mammalian remains from 19 different cave sites in the Judean Desert. We use the dates in combination with archaeological survey data and bone collagen/apatite δ13C values to study faunal succession in the context of Holocene climate change and human settlement history in the region. Our results suggest a change in the late Holocene, expressed in fewer observations of Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) and gazelle (Gazellaspp.), and an increase of Syrian striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena syriaca), fox (Vulpesspp.), Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) and rock hyrax (Procavia capensis); suids (Sus scrofa) appear for the first time. According to the data distribution, however, the probability of finding a bone diminishes exponentially with time, which implies that the Judean Desert cave paleozoological record is temporally biased. The weight of evidence ultimately favors an explanation of the observed patterns as the consequence of a combined anthropogenic and climatic impact on local food webs.

Simulations With the Marine Biogeochemistry Library (MARBL)

AbstractThe Marine Biogeochemistry Library (MARBL) is a prognostic ocean biogeochemistry model that simulates marine ecosystem dynamics and the coupled cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, silicon, and oxygen. MARBL is a component of the Community Earth System Model (CESM); it supports flexible ecosystem configuration of multiple phytoplankton and zooplankton functional types; it is also portable, designed to interface with multiple ocean circulation models. Here, we present scientific documentation of MARBL, describe its configuration in CESM2 experiments included in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project version 6 (CMIP6), and evaluate its performance against a number of observational data sets. The model simulates present‐day air‐sea CO2 flux and many aspects of the carbon cycle in good agreement with observations. However, the simulated integrated uptake of anthropogenic CO2 is weak, which we link to poor thermocline ventilation, a feature evident in simulated chlorofluorocarbon distributions. This also contributes to larger‐than‐observed oxygen minimum zones. Moreover, radiocarbon distributions show that the simulated circulation in the deep North Pacific is extremely sluggish, yielding extensive oxygen depletion and nutrient trapping at depth. Surface macronutrient biases are generally positive at low latitudes and negative at high latitudes. CESM2 simulates globally integrated net primary production (NPP) of 48 Pg C yr−1 and particulate export flux at 100 m of 7.1 Pg C yr−1. The impacts of climate change include an increase in globally integrated NPP, but substantial declines in the North Atlantic. Particulate export is projected to decline globally, attributable to decreasing export efficiency associated with changes in phytoplankton community composition.

Do specific entrepreneurial ecosystems favor high-level networking while others not? Lessons from the Hungarian IT sector

A specific entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) supporting or limiting entrepreneurial innovation characterizes territorial units. Consisting of several quasi-complementary individual entities and contextual factors, it is questionable whether these elements are of equal importance within a given ecosystem. Access to and mobilization of entrepreneurial resources (information, knowledge) is facilitated by social networks within the EE. Consequently, this study considers networking as a crucial output of EEs: the extent and quality of networking determines various characteristics of the ecosystem itself. Networking works as a cohesive mechanism between actors and institutions at different levels, so its absence or low level has a negative impact on entrepreneurship. Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we explore those configurations of micro, meso and macro elements of the EE of ICT firms in a Hungarian city (Pécs) which result in low or high level networking performance. We find that different networking levels require different conditions. Only those ecosystems show very high-quality networking that perform well in both the necessary and sufficiency components. Also, different ecosystem configurations are required for high informal, formal, or external networks. These results provide policy makers with a more advanced understanding of how EEs work, thereby supporting a more efficient allocation of scarce resources.