Innovation Ecosystem Research Articles

The rise of open innovation in Chinese academia: a systematic review of the literature

The recent open innovation (OI) literature underscores the importance of understanding how OI is implemented across diverse institutional contexts. China has captivated OI scholars, representing a distinctive business environment that challenges established theories and frameworks. Building on translation theory, this study systematically reviews how scholars affiliated with Chinese institutions have conceptualized the concept of OI. We used a systematic approach to analyze a final sample of 202 articles, unveiling insights into themes, approaches, and implications. Our primary findings highlight a concentration on themes such as external knowledge search for enhancing firms' performance, the escalating role of innovation ecosystems, and the significance of local business, traditional Chinese culture, and innovation policies in shaping these dynamics. In contrast to recent trends in the broader international OI literature, concepts such as the role of users, universities, platforms, and social innovation are not extensively explored. Lastly, we suggest various avenues for future research to enrich OI scholarship.

Strategic Research on Supporting High Quality Development of Enterprises Based on Digital Economy

In the context of the burgeoning digital economy, fostering high-quality enterprise development has emerged as a critical challenge across diverse industries. The pervasive adoption of digital technologies has fundamentally transformed enterprise operations, unveiling novel avenues for innovation and bolstering market competitiveness. Research indicates that the deep integration of digital technologies, the establishment of a data-driven innovation ecosystem, and the cultivation of digital talent are pivotal strategies for enterprises to attain sustainable and high-quality development. These strategies provide a robust foundation for enterprises to sustain a competitive edge in the digital era by streamlining internal management, amplifying innovation capacities, and accelerating market responsiveness. The findings suggest that, through the effective implementation of these strategies, enterprises can achieve enduring and high-quality development propelled by the digital economy.

Diverse perspectives on entrepreneurship: Analyzing gender and age-related differences in perceptions

Entrepreneurship is a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and social development, yet perceptions of entrepreneurship can vary significantly across different demographic groups. Understanding these variations is crucial for developing effective education and support systems. This study investigates the differences in perceptions of entrepreneurship among various gender and age groups, focusing on aspects such as career opportunities, financial readiness, the attractiveness of entrepreneurial ventures, skill requirements, economic impact, educational effectiveness, and gender-specific views on entrepreneurship. Using a quantitative research design, the study analyzed data collected from 300 entrepreneurs in Greater Noida through a structured questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests and ANOVA were employed to identify significant differences in perceptions across genders and age groups. The findings reveal notable differences in perceptions related to the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education and the role of women in entrepreneurship. Specifically, females demonstrated greater confidence in the ability of the education system to prepare individuals for entrepreneurial careers than males did. Additionally, significant differences in perceptions of entrepreneurial opportunities and support were observed between different age groups. These results highlight the need for tailored education programs and support systems that address the unique needs of diverse demographic segments. The study underscores the importance of promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in entrepreneurship to foster a more dynamic and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem. By addressing the specific challenges and opportunities identified, policymakers and educators can develop more effective and inclusive strategies to support aspiring entrepreneurs. Future research should further explore the sociocultural and institutional factors influencing entrepreneurial perceptions to enhance the overall effectiveness of entrepreneurship initiatives.

Considerations for governing open foundation models.

Different policy proposals may disproportionately affect the innovation ecosystem.

Policy Text AI Mining Study —— A Comparative Analysis Based on U.S., U.K., and Chinese Policies

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a key strategic area to enhance national competitiveness globally. We adopts a textual analysis methodology, based on the three-dimensional framework of policy tools and the LDA thematic model, to conduct a systematic analysis and comparative study of the AI policy texts of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The study aims to reveal the policy stance, strategic planning, and challenges and opportunities faced by the three countries in the field of AI. Through the analysis, the study identifies the major themes in the policy texts of each country and maps them to the three dimensions of supply, demand, and environment of policy tools. The study finds that the US AI policy focuses on international cooperation, fair civil rights, and innovation ecology; the UK emphasizes ethical governance and legal regulation; and China highlights innovation-driven and smart economy development. In addition, all three countries emphasize building a stable, predictable and innovation-supportive policy environment. The study puts forward a series of comprehensive recommendations, including strengthening international cooperation, balancing innovation and regulation, optimizing a supportive innovation ecosystem, improving the legal system, focusing on talent cultivation, and building an AI innovation alliance. These recommendations aim to promote the healthy development of global AI technologies and maximize their positive contributions to the economy and society.

Create and strengthening innovation ecosystem: roles of policy-affiliated transition intermediaries in latecomers

Purpose This study aims to explore the functions of policy-affiliated intermediaries and their roles in driving innovation in latecomers. Design/methodology/approach Latecomers have recently recognized the significance of an innovation ecosystem in transitioning to an innovation-driven economy. However, these countries encounter various market and system failures, making policy-affiliated transition intermediaries crucial in orchestrating innovation ecosystems. To achieve this, this study used a case study of a policy-affiliated intermediary and conducted interviews with 19 managers. The results from the content analysis revealed that innovation intermediaries in latecomers perform more comprehensive duties than those mentioned in the literature in the transition to innovation-based development. Findings Results show that the most important of policy-affiliated innovation intermediaries’ roles is orientation to the government and private sector market, attracting the participation of the private sector through the implementation of tax credits and the development of the corporate innovation ecosystem, developing science and technology parks, developing laboratory research infrastructure, supporting prominent and capable professors to create innovation networks, developing innovation zones around research institutions and leading universities and developing international scientific cooperation. These are new and important functions that innovation intermediaries should play in the transition process. Originality/value The research found that the innovation intermediary acts as a change agent in the mental model of other executive and decision-making bodies. Also result shows that this intermediaries can play more roles than what is mentioned in the literature for the development of innovation.

Editorial: Embracing human-centered innovation ecosystems in turbulent times

Editorial: Embracing human-centered innovation ecosystems in turbulent times

How high-speed railway expands beyond local knowledge search in interdisciplinary innovation: Evidence from China

Breaking through local knowledge search limitations is essential for fostering interdisciplinary innovation. This paper investigates how High-speed Railway (HSR) facilitates these firms in integrating information technology (IT) knowledge from other cities into their innovation processes. By connecting cities through faster transportation, HSR diminishes the constraints of geographical proximity, enabling firms to bypass the traditional reliance on local knowledge clusters and access a broader pool of IT expertise. Utilizing a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, our results reveal that HSR enhances knowledge search scope by improving access to IT resources, increasing human capital mobility, and raising competitive awareness. Additionally, we identify heterogeneity in this effect based on factors such as the marketization level of a firm's location, the degree of digital infrastructure development, whether a firm is located in a provincial capital, and the specific industry sector. Our findings further demonstrate that the expansion of knowledge search scope due to HSR significantly boosts future firm performance. These findings highlight the critical role of transportation infrastructure, exemplified by HSR, in breaking down geographic barriers to interdisciplinary knowledge flows and fostering more dynamic innovation ecosystems.

Cultural Game Jam Model: A Quadruple Helix Intervention

The EPIC-WE Cultural Game Jam: Óbidos UNESCO City of Literature (CGJ) was a purposeful game jam, and part of the EPIC-WE Horizon-Europe project. CGJ empowers youth to participate through ideating cultural worlds, by creating and exchanging cultural values and heritage through game-making (game jams experience), within the Quadruple Helix (QH) Cultural Innovation Ecosystem. The study is focused on the specific presence of jammers at the game jam venue, within the cultural spaces and cultural agents. Describing the development of unique Game Jams applying the QH model, linking a municipality region, a games company, university researchers, and a youth focus group to foster the production of games for culture and games through culture. With extensive experience in organising game jams since 2014, the researchers confronted the literature review study focused on youth empowerment and cultural game jams (Costa, et al., 2024), ensuring the project research protocols to define a model for 4 game jams to be held from 2024 to 2025. The ongoing research demonstrates the creation of a research protocol for the 1st CGJ model: student recruitment; Pre-Game Jam with the theme reveal and ideation; Game Jam activities and conditions; Reflection Day; Data collection; Post-Mortem analysis; CCIs games evaluation; and future outcomes. 8 games produced on the 1st CGJ demonstrated the effectiveness of the CGJ model for cultural purposes. Besides the cultural theme limitation, participants (N=26) evidenced a high level of satisfaction evidenced in the final survey. Several recommendations for improvement were given (survey reflection 2) and outlined so that future CGJs can produce games that delve more deeply into the topics covered.

Building an IoB ecosystem for influencing energy consumption in smart cities

Introduction: The Internet of Behaviors (IoB) represents a paradigm shift in integrating digital technologies with human behaviors, offering unprecedented insights and opportunities across various domains. This research paper explores the transformative potential of IoB and presents an innovative IoB framework applied to an energy consumption scenario. Objective: We offer an innovative IoB ecosystem aimed at heightening citizens' responsibility and awareness regarding home energy consumption in smart cities.Methodology: We propose a framework that elicits behavioral insights by leveraging smart meter data, clusters citizens based on similar energy consumption patterns using K-Means into groups, applies an LSTM-based prediction model to forecast their future energy consumption, and influences their behavior through a continuous personal reflection loop. Moreover, to foster trust, XAI principles are also integrated into our framework to ensure citizens comprehend and trust the IoB model's results.Results: Our proposed LSTM-based prediction model achieved, on the smart meters’ dataset, high-performance results, an R² value equal to 0.986, a root mean squared error of 0.492 and a mean squared error equal to 0.242. Conclusions: This paper presents how we can leverage the IoB and XAI into the energy sector. However, the IoB's potential is not restricted to a certain domain. It has a revolutionary influence across sectors, with the power sector standing out as one of the domains where the IoB has the potential to alter social practices

Strengthening university capacity in regional innovation ecosystem through the participation in the European Universities initiative

ABSTRACT In this paper, we explore how participation in the strategic partnerships of the European University Alliances (EUAs) facilitates university capacity in regional development. The study utilizes the Quadruple Helix theoretical model and contributes to the literature on transnational university alliances in regional innovation ecosystems. A qualitative analysis of policy documents, media reports on EUA developments, alliance goals, and university implementation strategies is conducted within the context of Lithuanian higher education. In Lithuania’s case, the primary rationale for participating in the EU initiative is both academic and economic. Furthermore, it is framed as addressing higher education challenges such as a low internationalization level, a mismatch between human capital and labour market needs, and the attractiveness of higher education. To achieve the strategic goals of the alliances, universities build networks including cross-sectoral linkages and engage in co-creation activities. The expanded and deepened interactions among different organizational spheres (helices) aim to foster innovation in national HE policy, strengthen university capacity through organizational innovation, and re-design teaching and research to drive social and economic transformations.

AS ESTRATÉGIAS DE MARKETING E COMUNICAÇÃO NO CONTEXTO DA CULTURA DA CONVERGÊNCIA MIDIÁTICA – O CASO DA BARRA DOS COQUEIROS

This study presents the results of research conducted between 2021 and 2022, titled “Marketing and Communication Strategies in the Context of Media Convergence – The Case of Barra dos Coqueiros,” led by the Research Laboratory in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Federal University of Sergipe (LEI-UFS). The project is linked to the PQ2 Fellowship from CNPq (no. 312260/2020-2) and PIBIC, and is part of a series of studies investigating marketing and communication strategies in different regions, such as Aracaju and São Cristóvão. The main objective was to analyze the profile of entrepreneurs in the city of Barra dos Coqueiros and the communication strategies they adopt. The methodology included a theoretical review and a qualitative study, using online semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the collected data revealed that the city has 1,423 individual micro-entrepreneurs, of which 51.31% are women and 48.69% are men, with an average age of 39 years. The study is justified by the need to support micro-entrepreneurs amid the region’s population growth, driven by the construction of new luxury condominiums. Additionally, it aims to foster the ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation, ensuring that these entrepreneurs are supported in complying with Brazilian laws and developing their businesses.

The relationship among the innovation environment, transactive memory system of the R&D team, and knowledge collaboration

The innovation environment is the basis for the operation of the innovation ecosystem. In an era where knowledge resources are increasingly recognized as core assets, the advent of transactive memory system (TMS) has significantly enhanced the knowledge collaboration among R&D (Research & Development) teams, thereby boosting their innovation performance. Based on the empirical analysis of 235 valid questionnaires, this paper explores the relationship among the innovation environment, R&D Team's TMS, and knowledge collaboration. The results show that: (1) the Innovation environment has a direct and significant positive effect on the team's TMS and knowledge collaboration; (2) Team's TMS has some direct and significant positive effects and mediating effects on Knowledge Collaboration, and the Coordination of team's TMS has no significant effect on the Knowledge Integration process of Knowledge Collaboration; (3) The innovation environment can indirectly affect the knowledge collaboration process through the Specialization and Credibility of the TMS. This study further enriches the relevant research in the field of knowledge management and provides theoretical support and countermeasures for enterprises to promote innovation and development by optimizing knowledge management.

Realizing the Promise of Digital Engineering: Planning, Implementing, and Evolving the Ecosystem

ABSTRACTGaining benefits of digital engineering is not only about implementing digital technologies. An ecosystem for innovation is a system of systems in its own right, only partly engineered, subject to risks and challenges of evolving socio‐technical systems. This paper summarizes an aid to planning, analyzing, implementing, and improving innovation ecosystems. Represented as a configurable model‐based reference pattern used by collaborating INCOSE working groups, it was initially applied in targeted INCOSE case studies, and subsequently elaborated and applied to diverse commercial and defense ecosystems. Explicating the recurrent theme of consistency management underlying all historical engineering, it is revealing of digital engineering's special promise, and enhances understanding of historical as well as future engineering and life cycle management. It includes preparation of human and technical resources to effectively consume and exploit digital information assets, not just create them, capability enhancements over incremental release trains, and evolutionary steering using feedback and group learning.

Innovation Ecosystem Dynamics, Value and Learning I: What Can Hamilton Tell Us?

ABSTRACTHeld in Dublin, Ireland, IS2024 invites us to refresh understanding of contributions to systems engineering by Ireland's greatest mathematician— Sir William Rowan Hamilton (1805–1865), professor of astronomy at Trinity College Dublin and royal astronomer of Ireland. His profound contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) deserve greater systems community attention. Supporting theory and practice, they intersect foundations and applications streams of INCOSE's future of systems engineering (FuSE) program. Strikingly, key aspects apply to systems of all types, including socio‐technical and information systems. Hamilton abstracted the energy‐like generator of dynamics for all systems, while also generalizing momentum. Applied to the INCOSE innovation ecosystem pattern as dynamics of learning, development, and life cycle management, this suggests an architecture for integration of the digital thread and machine learning in innovation enterprises, along with foundations of systems engineering as a dynamical system.

Challenges and Perspectives of the Startup Ecosystem for the Development of Innovative Economy in Georgia

The processes of introduction of technology and innovation ecosystem in the economic development of the country have attracted special attention in the global world in the conditions of pandemic and post-pandemic. Accordingly, the research focuses on the formation and development models of modern start-up ecosystems, processes and determinants that ensure their transformation into innovations and the transfer of resources for economic development in the regions. The aim of the paper is to determine the main directions that will contribute to the development of startup ecosystems, taking into account global trends and state-specific practices; The research is based on the methods of grouping, comparison, analogy, analysis, generalization and systemic-structural approaches. As a result of the research, startup ecosystems were defined as an institutional mechanism that is open to the expansion of intersectoral networks and changes the competitive market environment in favor of the architecture of a stable innovative economy. The examples of Estonia, Spain, and Britain show the potential of developing a national startup ecosystem model that prioritizes long-term development, state technical self-sufficiency, and the ability to expand to new markets. Keywords: innovative economy, ecosystems, technoparks, startups, innovations, R&D, economic development

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.

An Analysis of the Adaptability of Switzerland’s Financial Regulatory Framework to Blockchain and Digital Currency Innovations

Switzerland has emerged as a global leader in the regulation of blockchain technology and digital currencies, attracting numerous blockchain startups and investors to its “Crypto Valley.” This paper provides an in-depth analysis of Switzerland’s financial regulatory framework, examining its adaptability to blockchain and digital currency innovations. The study highlights the proactive stance of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and the enactment of the Blockchain Act, which have created a flexible and forward-thinking legal environment. Furthermore, the paper explores the opportunities afforded by Switzerland’s regulatory framework, such as legal certainty, privacy protection, and access to European markets. However, it also addresses the challenges that remain, including regulatory arbitrage, scalability issues, and the unique regulatory complexities introduced by decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The findings suggest that while Switzerland has built a conducive ecosystem for blockchain innovation, it must continue to adapt its regulatory framework to maintain its leadership position in an ever-evolving global landscape.

Regional development through innovation: a proposal for a technological hub framework

Brazil has made progress in innovation, although unevenly across its regions, with the state of Acre still facing challenges in this sector. The creation of an innovation and technology hub at Senai/AC aims to promote regional development by bringing together government, companies, and academia to stimulate local economic growth. This article proposes a strategic framework for the implementation of the Senai/AC Innovation and Technology Hub, with the goal of strengthening the regional economy and increasing industrial competitiveness. Based on a Systematic Literature Review, the best global and regional practices for the creation of innovation ecosystems were identified. The qualitative analysis of 40 articles resulted in strategic guidelines adapted to local needs, highlighting the importance of effective governance, resource mobilization, collaborative environments, human capital development, and a culture of innovation. The Senai/AC Hub has the potential to act as a catalyst for the state's socioeconomic development and strengthen local industries. Future studies can assess the effectiveness of the guidelines and the hub's impact on regional production chains, comparing it with other hubs to identify synergies and best practices.

The non-alcoholic fruit beverage market through patent prospecting

Non-alcoholic fruit beverages hold significant importance in the fruit processing chain. This article aimed to conduct a technological prospective study, through patents, in this specific beverage area. Patents were searched in the online databases of INPI (Brazil) and EPO (Europe), using keywords, the internation classification number, and filing dates. A total of 80 patents were retrieved, excluding duplicates and out of scope ones. The year 2020 witnessed the highest number of filings, followed by a decrease in subsequent years. Japan held 46% of the patents considered in this study, while Brazil accounted for 26%. Overall, the primary filers are from the industry, while 48% of Brazilian patents had educational and research institutions as filers. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit were the most cited fruits in the analyzed documents, indicating a wide participation of tropical fruits in beverage production. Despite Brazil being one of the world's largest fruit producers, Japan leads in innovations related to fruit beverages. Brazil needs to improve its innovation ecosystem to encourage domestic companies, achieve greater competitiveness in international trade, and add higher value to its traded goods.