Ecosystem Framework Research Articles

QUASIM: Quantum Computing Enhanced Service Ecosystem for Simulation in Manufacturing

AbstractQuantum computing (QC) and machine learning (ML), taken individually or combined into quantum-assisted ML (QML), are ascending computing paradigms whose calculations come with huge potential for speedup, increase in precision, and resource reductions. Likely improvements for numerical simulations in engineering imply the possibility of a strong economic impact on the manufacturing industry. In this project report, we propose a framework for a quantum computing-enhanced service ecosystem for simulation in manufacturing, consisting of various layers ranging from hardware to algorithms to service and organizational layers. In addition, we give insight into the current state of the art of applications research based on QC and QML, both from a scientific and an industrial point of view. We further analyze two high-value use cases with the aim of a quantitative evaluation of these new computing paradigms for industrially relevant settings.

Collaboration of Stakeholders and AI in The Implementation of New Public Service in The Digital Era

This study emphasizes the importance of applying the New Public Service (NPS) concept in public service management in the digital era through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of five articles from Scopus (2021-2024). The analysis indicates that NPS can enhance the quality of public services in an inclusive, collaborative, and responsive manner. NPS promotes stakeholder collaboration, AI integration in services, and citizen involvement in public value creation. The main challenges in implementing NPS are bureaucratic cultural resistance and insufficient policy dissemination. This study underscores the need for leaders to develop strong commitment, improve effective communication, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and involve the community in the transition towards NPS. Furthermore, the research highlights the necessity of an integrated public service ecosystem framework to facilitate collaboration among the government, private sector, and society, providing innovative solutions to public service challenges in the digital era.

A Comprehensive Model for Innovation Ecosystems

Abstract Research on innovation ecosystems is mostly approached from the point of view of institution-oriented aspects, which typically focus on the structural elements of innovation systems. However, this perspective has limitations to describe a really functioning innovation system, as it does not take into account its complex nature of dynamics and the functional features. The authors run research on models of innovation ecosystems based on complexity theory principles. The presented perspective, based on complexity theory, takes into account not only the structural and the complex but also the dynamic feature of the innovation ecosystems, still using the triple helix approach as a basis. The objective of the article is to present a system model framework for innovation ecosystems, that can be used for development of technology and science parks management models. The approach of the research is based on literature review and discussion of relevant results, followed by explanation and concluding a possible innovation ecosystem framework model, finally demonstrated its interpretation through a specific case. In its first part, the article gives a general overview on complex systems from point of related findings on innovation ecosystems. Based on literature review, the preliminary analysis of the authors in the subject is given. Then, the relevant model features are described, then and the proof of the concept is explained according to the research. The descriptive features of complex systems based on the referenced papers are used to interpret the proposed model. The main outcome of the article is a comprehensive innovation ecosystem model as a tool to understand and analyse such systems based on actors, functions and key factors. The authors demonstrated in the article that features of complex systems not only help describing innovation ecosystems but also support defining key model elements. An empiric case of ZalaZONE Technology Park was shown related to the presented innovation ecosystem model. Finally, the next steps of the model development are outlined and advice is concluded for application of the model in the practice and in further research. The novelty of the article is pointing out that the simple model of triple helix and the complexity approach as a view for modelling the real circumstances, can be well-combined to outline a comprehensive model for innovation ecosystems.

Exploring Consumer Sentiment toward Affordable Housing

The goal of this research is threefold: provide a framework of the affordable housing ecosystem, understand non-recipients’ perceptions of affordable housing, and identify communication strategies to garner support for affordable housing. To do so, we reviewed the literature, identifying key participants in the affordable housing ecosystem. Next, we conducted focus groups which revealed six themes comprising consumers’ perceptions of affordable housing: (1) the right to housing, (2) negative connotations of affordable housing, (3) benefits of affordable housing, (4) nuances of affordable housing, (5) the link to education, and (6) challenges due to a lack of affordable housing. These themes suggest that, consistent with past research, negative connotations about affordable housing exist. Importantly, positive associations also arose as participants discussed housing as a right, expressed a desire for more affordable housing, and associated access to housing with facilitating educational attainment, diversity, and a stronger sense of community. Finally, participants noted the critical role of multiple stakeholders in the affordable housing ecosystem to not only create but also ensure the viability of maintaining affordable housing. Drawing on these themes, we then propose broad messaging recommendations as well as potential messaging strategies to garner consumer support for affordable housing.

Retail franchise ecosystem dynamics: Insights from countries of varied development levels

This study explores the influence of entrepreneurial ecosystems on international franchise expansion. We understand franchising as a part of retailing and reflect on various country-level factors that impact the international franchise growth in 52 developed and emerging markets. We classify developed and emerging markets based on the Human Development Index (HDI). Employing an entrepreneurial ecosystem framework initially applied to new business growth in cities, we investigate how cultural, institutional, economic, and infrastructure factors affect franchise growth. Our findings indicate that well-developed infrastructure, economic freedom, and supportive laws contribute to franchise expansion, while locations with high crime rates are less attractive to franchise expansion. Surprisingly, increased internet access or higher spending on research and development does not consistently further franchise expansion. Countries with higher levels of human development tend to have franchises that are expand more rapidly. However, we found little difference between countries with very high development and those with high development standards. This study helps us understand what makes franchise business expansion work and how they can succeed in different countries. Implications for businesses and governments looking to support franchise growth are explained. Finally, the results reflect the importance of understanding the unique dynamics of emerging markets and offers actionable insights for businesses and policymakers aiming to foster retail ecosystems and franchise on these specific markets entrepreneurship globally.

AI-enabled smart manufacturing boosts ecosystem value capture: The importance of servitization pathways within digital-intensive industries

Understanding successful pathways for manufacturers to capture value within the service ecosystem framework is a recent and still nascent area of research that requires further investigation and growth. Within industrial settings, artificial intelligence (AI) constitutes an enabling technology that can be integrated across a network of products and systems, driving the transformation of these service ecosystems. From this perspective, this study proposes that the symbiotic convergence between AI-enabled smart manufacturing, which facilitates process and product enhancements, and servitization, which enables product availability and customization, contributes to a higher level of ecosystem value capture. To address this issue, a research model employing Smart Partial Least Squares was developed to examine the interplay between these constructs. By using survey data from a purposively selected sample of servitized manufacturing firms, the findings reveal the synergistic effects of integrating AI-enabled smart manufacturing and servitization. Furthermore, the results indicate variances across industrial sectors, and highlight that in digitally-intensive industries, service business models have undergone more substantial transformations, fostering accelerated ecosystem development streamlined by customization. Conversely, in digitally-augmented industries, where inputs are digital but products are predominantly analog, digital capabilities are primarily confined to production processes.

User Communities: The Missing Link to Foster KIBS’ Innovation

In today’s knowledge-driven economy, collaboration among stakeholders is essential for the framing of innovative trends, with knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) playing a core role in addressing market demand. Users’ involvement in shaping products and services has been considered in innovation ecosystem frameworks. Fewer risks in service/product development, and more sustainability and market acceptance, are a few of the benefits arising from including the user community (UC) in innovation partnerships. However, the need for resources, absorptive capacity and tacit knowledge, among other capabilities, is often a reason for overlooking this important contributor. KIBS possess a vast knowledge base, cater to digital tools, and mediate and propel innovation with different partners, benefiting from exclusive cognitive proximity to remix extant knowledge with emergent information from communities into new products and services. The aim of this study is to assess and quantify the effect of the collaboration with UC through three active forms of collaboration (co-creation, mass customization, and personalization) on different innovation types developed in KIBS. The significance of the user community was proven across all innovation types. Robustness analysis confirmed the results for both P-KIBS and T-KIBS. P-KIBS may be better suited to co-creation policies for product and service innovation, personalization of processes, and organizational and marketing innovations. T-KIBS can focus on mass customization, ensuring good innovation success. Additionally, co-creation with user community is best for product innovation.

Promoting the cultivation and sustainability of mentoring ecosystems: results from a multi-institutional study

ABSTRACT Although mentoring interventions have helped to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals within STEM fields, even the most efficacious programs can be undermined without intentional cultivation of the broader mentoring ecosystem. This study examines participants from eight campus teams that engaged in a multi-session process of learning about a STEM-mentoring ecosystem (STEM-ME) framework, learning particular terminology, including ‘champions’ and ‘stewards’ within the system (i.e. who is advocating for and resourcing mentoring, respectively), and tools to inventory, map and analyze their mentoring ecosystem. Qualitative research, guided by interpretive phenomenological analysis, focused on (a) completed inventory tools, (b) visual mapping exercises, and (c) field notes from meeting sessions. The results indicate that the STEM-ME framework and new terminology facilitated important insights into possible synergies within the system. The opportunity to visualize an institutional ecosystem for concentrations of and gaps in activity helped to identify potential vulnerabilities and places to invest.

Integration of behavioral, social, and humanities sciences into healthcare and education and their alignment with medical education programs

There has been an increasing acknowledgment of the intricacies inherent in health and healthcare processes, leading to a shift in medical education. This change underscores multidimensional, thorough, reflective, and contextual approaches characterized by mutual interaction and change. The perception of health/well-being and illness is transitioning toward acknowledging them as outcomes arising from the complex interplay of individual, social, and environmental/ecosystemic factors. This includes biological, genetic, behavioral, sociocultural, and environmental influences. In line with this changing perspective, the purpose of this article is to provide a general framework for the integration of behavioral, social, and human sciences into Medical Education Programs in Healthcare and Training Processes. The framework presented is based on the following three conceptual and theoretical basis: (1) Complex systems thinking and reflective, contextual healthcare and education practices, (2) Health systems and socio-economic-political framework, (3) Ecosystem framework in health and disease. Our aim in this article is to provide a guide for the integration of Behavioral, Social, and Humanity Sciences into medical education programs and to present examples from around the world.

Expediting the design and development of secure cloud-based mobile apps

The adoption and popularity of mobile devices by end-users is partially driven by the increasing development and availability of mobile applications that can aid solving different problems and provide access to services in a wide range of domains or categories, namely healthcare, education, e-commerce or entertainment. While these applications use and benefit from the combination of a wide panoply of technologies from the Internet of Things, fog and cloud computing, data security and privacy are typically not fully taken into account before the creation of many mobile applications or during the software development phases. This paper presents an in-depth approach to modeling attacks on the specific cloud and mobile ecosystem, given its importance in the process of secure application development. Moreover, aiming at bridging the knowledge gap between developers and security experts, this paper presents an alpha version of the security by design for cloud and mobile ecosystem (secD4CloudMobile) framework. secD4CloudMobile is a set of tools that covers cloud and mobile security requirement elicitation (CMSRE), cloud and mobile security best practices guidelines (CMSBPG), cloud mobile attack modeling elicitation (CMAME), and cloud mobile security test specification and tools (CM2ST). The purpose of the framework is to provide cloud and mobile application developers useful readily applicable information and guidelines, striving to bring security engineering and software engineering closer, in a more accessible and automated manner, aiming at the incorporation of security by construction. Finally, the paper presents some preliminary results and discussion.

Индикаторы цифрового развития малых форм хозяйствования АПК Волгоградской области

The successful adaptation of the regional agro-industrial complex to a new technological order is impossible without activating the maximum number of resources available to national agriculture: management, production, economic, financial, technological, demographic, and climatic, as well as any other factors that stimulate the transition of the agricultural sector of the Russian economy to a qualitatively new level of scientific and technological development. The fourth technological order in agriculture will become the basis for a qualitatively different level of automation and digitalization of agro-industrial production, within which the role of the business entity will be largely limited only to making key managerial, production, and economic decisions. Technological processes will be fully automated through the widespread use of robotics, digital twins, predictive and cognitive technologies, EFR and CRM systems, the Internet of Things, etc. The need to optimize these solutions and integrate them into a single production and digital network will stimulate the creation of so-called digital ecosystems in the agricultural economy. These ecosystems are “a set of technological platforms, applied Internet services, analytical, and information systems created on the basis of a computer network infrastructure with the characteristics of self-regulation, adaptability, and sustainability for the purpose of joint production or promotion of a given benefit, information exchange, and evolutionary development of the system” aimed at satisfying people’s needs for high-quality and safe food products based on the use of resource-saving and environmentally friendly technologies. The article examines the most significant indicators of the digital development of small agricultural businesses in the context of their ability to function within the framework of regional digital business ecosystems, as well as the prospects for the integration of small businesses into global ecosystems of the digital economy. A set of statistical data was studied that gives an idea of the use of digital technologies in the agricultural sector of the regional economy. A set of statistical data on the use of digital technologies in the agricultural sector of the regional economy has been studied, some indicators of the level of digitalization of small agribusiness entities have been identified and analyzed, making it possible to determine the trajectory of the digital development of micro-farm enterprises and to develop the general contours of a forecast scenario for the integration of small agricultural forms into the digital business ecosystem of the agricultural economy.

Co-creating value in manufacturing supply chains: unravelling the dynamics of innovation ecosystems

ABSTRACT This research delves into the operational intricacies and pathways driving value realization within a supply chain innovation ecosystem, with a specific focus on the lens of value co-creation. Leveraging China’s home appliance manufacturing industry as a case study, we develop a system dynamics model, revealing that the collaborative interaction among core enterprises, partners, and customers significantly contributes to system value creation. Notably, the digitalization level of enterprises emerges as the primary catalyst for value creation within the system. This study establishes the framework and boundaries of the supply chain innovation ecosystem, outlines value realization pathways, provides key insights on value co-creation for manufacturing enterprises.

Street-level bureaucrats as policymakers in the implementation of information system in social services

ABSTRACT This article explores the policymaking agency of street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) through public service ecosystem (PSE) framework. The study addresses the SLBs’ role in policy implementation and the conditions influencing the SLBs’ policymaking agency at individual, organizational and institutional spheres. Empirically, the focus is on the SLBs’ experiences of an information system’s (IS) implementation in social services. Findings suggest that the SLBs can utilize their policymaking agency at the individual sphere. However, the structural conditions at the organizational and institutional spheres limit the SLBs’ policymaking agency and the intended outcomes of the policy implementation.

Drivers of service ecosystem: moderating role of organizational culture in North Indian hotels

PurposeThis study aims to explore the drivers (i.e. service innovation, service exchange, customer wellbeing and employee wellbeing) and organizational culture in the service ecosystem in the hospitality sector.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a quantitative approach by collecting data from employees and customers of the top 10 hotels (identified from three major websites, i.e. Goibibo, Trivago and MakeMyTrip) functional in Jammu city, North India. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and partial least square analysis are used to analyse the data.FindingsThe study findings reveal that among the four drivers (i.e., service innovation, service exchange, employee wellbeing and customer wellbeing) customer wellbeing shows a strong impact and significant impact on the service ecosystem. Following this, the study also exhibits that organizational culture significantly moderates the relationship between service innovation and the service ecosystem. However, it does not show any moderating influence among the other drivers of the service ecosystem.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is conducted only in the top 10 hotels (three and four stars) of Jammu city, North India, which might not represent all Indian hotels.Originality/valueThe study contributes by establishing the role of four service ecosystem drivers, namely service innovation, service exchange, employee wellbeing and customer wellbeing. Following this, the study empirically tested and validated the service ecosystem framework in the context of north Indian hotels. The study also establishes the significant role of organizational culture, particularly group culture and hierarchy culture, in strengthening the service ecosystem.

Innovation-Based Strategic Roadmap for Economic Sustainability and Diversity in Hydrocarbon-Driven Economies: The Qatar Perspective

This research addresses the critical opportunities and challenges confronting economic sustainability for hydrocarbon-based economies. The primary objective is to advocate for a transformative shift towards diversified and knowledge-centric economic models to ensure long-term sustainability. The literature review exposes vulnerabilities in hydrocarbon-based economies. The study innovatively explores multifaceted dimensions of economic diversification, including governance issues, societal well-being, and the necessity for robust ecosystem frameworks. Utilizing a qualitative case study methodology, the research investigates Qatar’s initiatives, such as the Qatar National Vision 2030 and government programs, aiming to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and foster innovation. Insightful semi-structured interviews provide nuanced perspectives on innovation in the hydrocarbon context with business and academic professionals. The primary data collection method involved the following distinct groups: five business professionals and eleven academic experts, representing eight outstanding local and external organizations. Key findings underscore a holistic view of innovation, associating it with practical solutions, adaptability, and transformative potential, showcasing diverse approaches ranging from business-centric to collaborative and user-centric methods. Identified challenges in the education system, the urgency for a matured innovation ecosystem, and opportunities in sustainable energy further enrich the study. Moreover, this research examines the challenges and mitigation strategies associated with economic diversification in hydrocarbon-driven economies, focusing on Qatar. The research recommends sustained efforts in economic diversification, educational reform, and technological integration for hydrocarbon-based economies. Policymakers, businesses, and academics can leverage these insights to navigate the complexities of resource dependency and ensure long-term viability. The commitment to addressing challenges faced by hydrocarbon-dependent nations remains crucial, with a dedication to fostering economic diversity, innovation, and educational excellence for a resilient and prosperous future.

A Conceptual Paper in Developing Model of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems to Boost Graduate Entrepreneurs Through Longitudinal Study

High unemployment among university graduates in Malaysia is concerning. Factors contributing to the university ecosystem that support the creation of student and graduate entrepreneurs remain debatable. The OCDC Entrepreneurial Ecosystems framework is the reference for most universities, and evaluating the weaknesses and strengths in the ecosystem pillars at the university level allows for clarity on relevant variables. The main objective of this study is to reconsider the model in the context of Malaysian universities that will enhance student entrepreneurial growth to create jobs and generate income while lowering unemployment and improving GDP. The study will use a longitudinal qualitative multiple-case study approach through a focus group using semi-structured questions with three groups of participants. Samples will be selected using a purposeful random sampling technique. Two top management, three students involved in business while studying, and three entrepreneur alumni from UiTM, UPM, and USM will be interviewed since these universities were awarded the MOHE Entrepreneurial Awards. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis via NVivo software. This study will contribute to implementing an entrepreneurial ecosystem model according to Malaysia's public university setting. Recommendations to the university and MOHE will be provided based on the findings to enhance students’ involvement in entrepreneurship while still at university. The government can improve on appropriate regulations in providing resources and budget based on this research findings so that the university can serve as an ‘incubator’ for driving university students to become job creators.

Energy 4.0: Challenges and Enablers of Digital Twin Application in Power Plant

Digital twins have recently garnered attention as digital solutions in "Energy 4.0" that will reshape the future of the power generation industry toward the digitalization era. It is supported by the rapid advancement of data connectivity and computational power that intensifies the potential of the digital twin approach in addressing the energy trilemma. Despite its popularity, the preliminary analysis revealed a lack of publications discussing the implementation of digital twins in the power generation industry. The researcher may find the difficulties and face the issues that prevent them from exploring this study area. Therefore, this article will perform a literature review of the selected publications to analyze the challenges and enablers of the digital twin implementation in power plants. The selection of articles from multiple databases is refined based on keywords search, publication time frame, and inclusion criteria. The study found that the challenges can be divided into nine categories, and eight enablers have been identified to address the issues that arise in digital twin applications. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge on digital twin applications by proposing the operational ecosystem framework to illustrate the interaction between enablers and challenges.

Enhancing energy‐efficient sleep scheduling for Narrowband Internet of Things devices in coordinated 5G networks within smart environments

SummaryThis research project takes on a crucial role in the quickly changing field of integrated 5G networks inside smart environments by concentrating on the creation of an extremely effective sleep scheduling system designed especially for Narrowband Internet of Things (NB‐IoT) devices. This work introduces a unique method for precisely controlling the nodes' sleep schedules through the use of convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture, which optimizes both energy usage and operating patterns. The principal goal still stands to guarantee the extended lifetime of operation and dependability of NB‐IoT devices in the larger framework of intelligent ecosystems driven by synchronized 5G networks. To achieve its objectives, the research explores a number of complex domains and employs cutting‐edge technologies and techniques, such as CNN‐based pattern recognition. This method's real‐time component is essential since it allows for prompt modifications to sleep schedules in order to optimize energy savings. Further boosting the devices' effectiveness and flexibility is continuous contact with a central server, which guarantees that the devices are updated with the most recent data and instructions. Essentially, the main objective of this study is to greatly increase the energy economy and operational lifetime of NB‐IoT devices, which will allow for stable and long‐lasting IoT deployments in the context of 5G networks in intelligent settings. This advancement is not only a boon for businesses and industries leveraging IoT technology but also a substantial step toward building smarter, more energy‐efficient, and resilient smart ecosystems that benefit society as a whole.

Factors for innovation ecosystem frameworks: Comprehensive organizational aspects for evolution

This article aims to identify the organizational factors in innovation ecosystem frameworks beyond scientific, technological, and economic aspects, including cultural, social, and organizational ones that have impacted the relational complexity of ecosystem development. Diverse regions worldwide seek to establish and evolve their innovation ecosystem frameworks rather than following others' references. The initial step in addressing the models and guidelines is to understand the inherent factors and identify other relevant ones capable of helping regions to achieve a higher maturity level. This article reviews the scientific literature and analyzes developments through a qualitative state of knowledge under certain organizational framework factors in ecosystems. The essential or inherent factors are separated into organizational actors, innovation and entrepreneurship chains, public and private funding, and appreciation of relevant organizational behavioral factors seeking effective relations, including collaboration and positive relationships, alliances and governance, human and social capital, and culture, which can be greatly influenced by regional societal behavioral habits. The development process demands constant learning and understanding of factors impacting the ecosystem's dynamics and performance. Trans-factorial framework models are necessary for future research to facilitate ecosystem evolution, incorporating methods, and deep technologies for a complex institutional network that considers behavior and social aspects.

A Unified Blockchain-Semantic Framework for Wireless Edge Intelligence Enabled Web 3.0

Web 3.0 enables user-generated contents and userselected authorities. With the help of decentralized wireless edge computing architectures, Web 3.0 allows users to read, write, and own contents. A core technology that enables Web 3.0 goals is blockchain, which provides security services by recording content in a decentralized and transparent manner. However, the explosion of on-chain recorded contents and the fast-growing number of users cause increasingly unaffordable computing and storage resource consumption. A promising paradigm is to analyze the semantic information of contents that can convey precisely the desired meanings without consuming many resources. In this article, we propose a unified blockchain-semantic ecosystems framework for wireless edge intelligence-enabled Web 3.0. Our framework consists of six key components to exchange semantic demands. We then introduce an Oracle-based proof of semantic mechanism to implement on-chain and off-chain interactions of Web 3.0 ecosystems on semantic verification algorithms while maintaining on-chain and off-chain service security. An adaptive Deep Reinforcement Learning-based sharding mechanism on Oracle is designed to improve interaction efficiency, which can facilitate Web 3.0 ecosystems to deal with varied semantic demands. Finally, a case study is presented to show that the proposed framework can dynamically adjust settings according to varied semantic demands.