Value Co-creation Research Articles

Spatio-Temporal Geographic Networks for Value Co-Creation and Technology Transfer in China with Patent Data.

With the increasing complexity of technology, cross-regional joint patent applications and patent transfers have become a prominent component of knowledge activities, attracting substantial attention of academic researchers. To examine the state and distribution characteristics of inter-city knowledge flows, this study utilizes patent data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration database and conducts in-depth data exploration to construct two urban knowledge networks (UKN). Specifically, over 1.23 million value co-creation patents are extracted to develop the urban value co-creation knowledge network (UKN-C), while more than 1.42 million technology transfer patents are refined to establish the urban technology transfer knowledge network (UKN-T). Both UKNs start with cities as nodes and knowledge connections between cities as edges. The edges of UKN-C are weighted by the volume of value co-creation patents, whereas the edges of UKN-T are weighted by the volume of technology transfer patents. To facilitate further research, the geographically explicit and spatial-temporal knowledge flow networks have been released in a simple and accessible format.

The Phoenix Effect – Rising from crisis through digital collaboration – How crisis affects social enterprises’ digitalization for value co-creation?

Crisis and market turbulence can cause changes in digitalization and value co-creation of social enterprises. This paper aims to identify how crisis and market turbulence affect the way social enterprises employ digitalization to enable value co-creation. To achieve this, the authors conduct Retrospective Case Studies by interviewing ten social entrepreneurs from developing countries and synthesizing their findings from primary and secondary data. Their findings reveal that social enterprises that use digital collaboration can be more resilient in the face of crises. Simultaneously, crisis affects how social enterprises use digitalization for collaboration through new phenomena which they call Crisis-Resilient Digital Ecosystem, Transformative Resilience Network, and Synergistic Economic Resilience. Finally, the authors propose the Interconnected Resilience Framework to illustrate the relationship between market turbulence and social entrepreneurship’s digital collaboration. This model and event-ordered matrix represent the main theoretical contributions to the literature on social entrepreneurship and crisis.

Developing a scale for value co-creation in producer-supplier relationships

This study aims to develop an original VcC scale in manufacturer-supplier relationships in industrial markets. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the study. The researchers first reviewed the scale development processes in the literature, and they utilized a five-stage scale development process. The original scale was developed by inductive and deductive methods. In the deductive method, similar scale items in the literature were examined and added to the item pool. In the inductive method, as a result of interviews with experts working in industrial markets, additions were made to the item pool. Following the fulfillment of all presumptions and analysis of the data, it was discovered that the initial version of the VcC scale comprised three dimensions and sixteen items related to supplier-manufacturer relationships in the machinery manufacturing industry. These dimensions are process development, information sharing and interaction. The three-dimensional scale explains 57.56% of the total variance. The originality of this study lies in the development of an advanced and detailed scale that determines how value co-creation (VcC) can be established in manufacturer-supplier relationships within the machine manufacturing industry, which holds strategic importance in industrial markets.

Conceptualizing hybrid intelligent service ecosystems

With the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the collaboration of human and AI actors in value co-creation processes permeates various application domains. In this conceptual paper, we integrate concepts from human-AI collaboration and service research and present a conceptual framework for hybrid intelligent service ecosystems (HISE). The framework extends the existing conceptualizations of service ecosystems as put forward by the service-dominant logic (S-D logic) by emphasizing how actors deliberately configure human and artificial agencies to co-create value via hybrid intelligent service exchange and how this impacts ecosystem formation and evolution. Our conceptualization highlights that value co-creation in HISE is guided and facilitated by shared resources and institutional arrangements, which differ from previous service ecosystems through the emergence of hybrid agency. We demonstrate the applicability of our framework with five illustrative HISE scenarios and provide five theoretical propositions. Our findings extend existing knowledge by theorizing on how to incorporate hybrid intelligence into value co-creation processes. Thereby, we provide a foundation for future interdisciplinary research on human-AI collaboration at the intersection of information systems, human–computer interaction, and service research with S-D logic as a unifying theoretical lens.

The impact mechanism of value co-creation on manufacturing supply chain innovation ecosystems

ABSTRACT Purpose This research aims to explore the role of value co-creation in enhancing the health of manufacturing supply chain innovation ecosystems (SCIEs), emphasising how interaction, resource integration, and digital capability contribute to this process. Design/methodology/approach The study employs the PLS-SEM method to analyse data from 252 survey responses of manufacturing enterprises in China. Hypotheses are tested to examine the relationships between value co-creation, interaction, resource integration, digital capability and SCIE health in the context of SCIEs. Findings The results demonstrate that value co-creation significantly improves the health of SCIEs. Interaction and resource integration mediate this relationship, while digital capability exerts a positive moderating effect on the link between value co-creation and interaction. Originality/value This study offers unique insights into the role of value co-creation mechanisms in strengthening the SCIE, highlighting the critical roles of interaction, resource integration, and digital capability.

Sustainability, technology and co-creation: a virtuous circle for sustainable tourism in Lisbon region

This study examines the interrelationship between sustainability values, technology, and co-creation in tourism. While prior research has underscored the significance of sustainability in influencing tourist behaviour, this study reveals that sustainability values do not directly affect co-creation intentions. Instead, technology emerges as a pivotal mediating factor, bridging the gap between sustainability awareness and active participation in co-creation. Employing a sample of 401 tourists in Lisbon, the study utilises Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modelling to analyse the relationships among these variables. The findings indicate that tourists with strong sustainability values perceive technology as an essential facilitator of responsible tourism. However, sustainability values alone do not significantly influence tourists’ perception of co-creation value or their intention to engage in co-creation activities. These results suggest that although sustainability-conscious tourists may endorse eco-friendly tourism, they do not necessarily engage in participatory co-creation behaviours unless technology is incorporated into the process. This finding implies that sustainability is frequently regarded as a passive commitment rather than an interactive, co-created experience. From a practical perspective, the study offers valuable insights for tourism stakeholders seeking to develop technology-driven solutions that enhance sustainable and interactive travel experiences. The findings suggest that digital platforms, artificial intelligence-powered tools, and blockchain-based transparency mechanisms can facilitate co-creation while fostering responsible tourism practices. By integrating sustainability and technological perspectives, this study contributes to theoretical advancements and provides strategic recommendations for promoting meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences in the digital era.

Understanding continued use intention of digital intangible cultural heritage games through the SOR model

Digital games have emerged as a popular method for disseminating intangible cultural heritage (ICH). However, research on the motivations driving continuous intention to play digital ICH games remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the factors influencing users’ continuous intention to play digital ICH games. We applied the SOR framework to investigate how two primary external stimuli-game factors and social factors-impact users’ hedonic and utilitarian perceptions. Furthermore, we analysed how these perceptions influence users’ continuous intention and assessed the moderating effects of cultural identity and value co-creation. With data collected from a survey of 338 gamers, the results revealed that both utilitarian and hedonic performance confirmations drive the use of digital ICH games. System quality and information quality exclusively influence utilitarian performance confirmation, while critical mass and social interaction positively influence both utilitarian and hedonic performance confirmations. Additionally, cultural identity positively moderates the relationships between utilitarian performance confirmation and continuous intention, as well as hedonic performance confirmation and continuous intention. The research highlighted the relative importance of specific factors, offering more profound insights into the continuous intention of digital ICH gamers.

The Role of Corporate Strategy in Increasing Student Intake Hotel Tourism Business Ciputra University

This paper examines the underlying strategic processes relied upon by students regarding decision-making process in selecting the Hospitality and Tourism Business (HTB) course in Ciputra University. The study measures the perceived value, promotional influence, stakeholder dynamics, and institutional attributes that inform the enrolment behaviour through in-depth interviews of current students as participants of a qualitative case study design. The results indicate that students are attracted, not only to the academic material, but also because of that congruence between the institutional identity and the individual goals, especially those goals concerning entrepreneurship, global awareness, and integrated learning. The importance of strategic involvement of stakeholders (i.e. alumni, parents, and industry partners) was identified as a key facilitator and driver of both trust and enrollment performance. For immersive learning environments and experiential resources, professional identity and career readiness were viewed as the main enabling aspects. Such findings support the significance of aligned branding, experiential pedagogy, and stakeholder synergy with higher education strategy. The analysis adds to the body of writing in academic advertising, value co-creation, and identity-based institutional positioning, giving a replicable framework that universities can use to strengthen the competitiveness of differentiation in the active global environment.

Research on the realization path of China multi-agent value co-creation in new energy microgrids-based on fsQCA method

With China’s increasing focus on carbon emissions, photovoltaic power generation (PV) microgrids (MG) have seen remarkable growth in recent years. However, the decline in government subsidies has led to a decrease in the profitability of photovoltaic power generation, making investments in photovoltaics and microgrids less viable. Consequently, enhancing the value for stakeholders in new energy microgrids is crucial for achieving sustainable development, particularly in a subsidy-free context. This research introduces a novel application of Prahalad and Ramaswamy’s value co-creation theory by analyzing 60 microgrids throughout China as case studies. It utilizes the Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to explore the input factors from various stakeholders in new energy microgrids and to identify the pathways that promote value co-creation. The findings reveal three distinct approaches to achieving value co-creation in new energy microgrids, with a notable emphasis on reducing initial capital costs to significantly enhance operational sustainability. The pathway characterized by hard service investment, construction investment, maintenance investment, energy storage investment, and financial support demonstrates the highest explanatory power (coverage 0.443). Conversely, the scenario lacking hard service investment, construction investment, and maintenance investment, while including energy storage investment and financial support, shows lower coverage (0.338) but high consistency, making it applicable in specific situations, such as when policy support is limited.

Green technology innovation ecosystems in construction: strategies for value co-creation through evolutionary game theory

Abstract This study investigates the role of green technology innovation (GTI) in achieving sustainable development within the construction industry. It emphasizes the importance of establishing an innovation ecosystem to enable value co-creation, moving beyond the traditional focus on construction enterprises as isolated entities. Using evolutionary game theory, an evolutionary game model is developed to explore value co-creation within the GTI ecosystem. The study examines the behavioural strategies of governments, construction enterprises, and consumers. Matlab software is employed for quantitative investigation, analysing the system's stable strategy portfolio and evaluating the influence of key parameters on the evolution process and outcomes of value co-creation. The analysis reveals that E8 (0,1,1) represents the ideal stable point in the system, with a defined evolution path to achieve this state. It highlights that excessive government intervention may hinder value co-creation, as overly high intervention intensity proves counterproductive. Construction enterprises are more sensitive to GTI costs than to the price of green building products, and substantial combined benefits of green building products are pivotal in shaping consumer decision-making. This study presents a novel GTI ecosystem model tailored for the construction industry and analyzes the pathway for value co-creation. It provides strategic insights for fostering sustainable practices and contributes to the theoretical development of value co-creation within innovation ecosystems

Enhancing citizen engagement in urban greening: The potential of large language models in value co-creation

Enhancing citizen engagement in urban greening: The potential of large language models in value co-creation

Antecedents and consequences of value co-creation in tourist behaviours: empirical evidence from smart tourism application

ABSTRACT Tourists' attitude towards and intention to use Smart Tourism Applications (STAs) has become a significant focus for researchers and business. Taking STAs as the research background, this study aims to explore the impact of perceived security and interactivity on tourists' perceived trust, perceived value of co-creation and use intention. Based on the analysis of 334 questionnaires, this study finds that perceived security and interactivity can significantly affect tourists' trust, perceived value of co-creation and use intention. The findings of this study improve understanding of how STAs affects the perceived value of co-creation and the use intention of tourists. In addition, the findings are also helpful for improving STA product design.

Prosumer flexibility as an enabler for ecosystem value co-creation: A resource integration approach from the Finnish electricity markets

Prosumer flexibility as an enabler for ecosystem value co-creation: A resource integration approach from the Finnish electricity markets

The impact of corporate social responsibility (csr) on customer value co-creation The mediating role of customer satisfaction

The impact of corporate social responsibility (csr) on customer value co-creation The mediating role of customer satisfaction

Do employees and customers understand their new roles for collaborative value co-creation in technology-driven service settings?

Do employees and customers understand their new roles for collaborative value co-creation in technology-driven service settings?

How platform enterprises compete through suppliers: the mediation role of supplier value co-creation between digital platform capabilities and competitive advantage

How platform enterprises compete through suppliers: the mediation role of supplier value co-creation between digital platform capabilities and competitive advantage

Research on the Synergistic Mechanism of Strategic Innovation and Technological Progress —— An Empirical Analysis Based on the Organizational Performance of the Medical Industry

This study systematically explores the theoretical framework and practical pathways of the synergy mechanism between strategic innovation and technological progress in the healthcare industry. The research finds that the strong regulatory nature, long R&D cycle, and multi-party participation of the healthcare industry give rise to a unique characteristic of "dynamic equilibrium under constraints" in its synergy mechanism. A theoretical model is constructed, encompassing three dimensions of strategic innovation (disruptive, open, ecological), three types of technological progress (breakthrough, incremental, integrative), and three levels of synergy mechanisms (element coupling, dynamic adaptation, value co-creation). Based on the theories of innovation ecosystems, technology tracks, and dual organizational capabilities, an analytical framework combining macro, meso, and micro perspectives is formed. The study also reveals coordination barriers faced by the healthcare industry, such as intellectual property barriers, policy lag, and coordination costs, providing a systematic solution to the "innovation island" dilemma.

EMPLOYEE-DRIVEN BRANDING FOR SUSTAINABILITY: STRATEGIC LEVERAGE IN TALENT ATTRACTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY

In the contemporary era of environmental awareness and purpose-driven employment, organizations are increasingly challenged to integrate sustainability into all aspects of their operations. One emerging strategic response is the integration of sustainability into employee branding, where employees act as authentic representatives of an organization’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. This study explores the potential of employee branding as a transformative tool for enhancing employer attractiveness, fostering employee engagement, and supporting long-term organizational legitimacy. The article addresses the growing importance of aligning corporate identity with sustainability values, particularly in sectors where skilled professionals prioritize ethical and purposeful work environments. The main objective is to investigate how sustainability-integrated employee branding influences talent attraction and reinforces organizational reputation in competitive labor markets. The research employs a mixed-methods approach. Quantitatively, a survey was administered to employees and HR professionals across 60 companies in Europe’s IT, finance, and manufacturing sectors to assess perceptions of sustainability in branding and its effect on employee advocacy and employer appeal. Qualitatively, case studies were conducted in three leading sustainable firms to uncover best practices and strategic insights. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were used to evaluate organizational narratives and internal culture. Results indicate that sustainability is a significant driver of both internal motivation and external brand reputation. Employees who experience authentic ESG practices in their workplace are more likely to advocate for their employer, contributing to a credible and impactful employer brand. Key findings show sectoral variations, with IT and finance leading in ESG integration and digital employee advocacy, while manufacturing lags. Furthermore, employees under 35 were especially responsive to sustainability narratives, showing higher engagement and alignment with values-driven branding. Companies with clear ESG communication and participatory initiatives saw enhanced loyalty, increased candidate interest, and stronger internal cohesion. The practical value of the article lies in its provision of a strategic framework for implementing employee branding for sustainability. Organizations are encouraged to embed sustainability in employee experience, reward systems, and internal storytelling, thereby turning employees into co-creators of brand value.

Simulating value co-creation in digital agri-food platforms: An agent-based model of consumer–producer interaction in the organic vegetable market

This study explores how value co-creation (VCC) mechanisms shape consumer and producer engagement on digital platforms for organic vegetables using an Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) approach. It addresses key challenges such as trust issues, price sensitivity, and limited consumer participation. A virtual simulation was developed in NetLogo with diverse agents, including millennials, baby boomers, and organic producers, interacting across five scenarios: baseline, full VCC integration, high price sensitivity, trust shock, and enhanced co-learning. The model incorporates key dimensions of value co-creation, including co-design, co-learning, co-process, and co-service. Results indicate that full VCC integration enhances satisfaction, producer retention, and platform loyalty, with co-learning emerging as the most effective mechanism under difficult conditions. Although trust disruptions and price concerns negatively affect system behavior, adaptive platform features help reduce these impacts. Patterns such as behavioral convergence and reinforcing feedback loops were observed, underscoring the role of the platform as an adaptive facilitator. The study contributes to value co-creation theory in digital food markets and demonstrates the value of ABM in agricultural digital research. Practical implications include recommendations for participatory design features and strategies to strengthen trust. This research supports sustainable agriculture by offering a scalable framework for inclusive and resilient digital ecosystems.

Mapping Value Co-Creation in Human Resource and Digital Service Systems: A Systematic Literature and Bibliometric Review

This study aims to systematically explore the scholarly development surrounding value co-creation over the past decade. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the literature's conceptual structure and thematic directions, especially within the framework of service-dominant logic, digital transformation, and the active engagement of actors in value-creation processes. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA protocol, complemented by bibliometric analysis using data sourced from the Scopus database. A total of 75 journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 were examined through the Bibliometrix R package. The analysis reveals a stable growth in academic output, with most contributions originating from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Key focal points include actor-to-actor engagement, resource integration, the role of artificial intelligence in organizational transformation, and co-production within service ecosystems. The reviewed literature indicates a significant shift from traditional firm-centric perspectives to collaborative, ecosystem-based models involving human and technological actors. These findings offer valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers in designing service strategies grounded in collaboration, fostering digital engagement platforms, and innovating actor-centric business models. Furthermore, the study enhances our understanding of how value is increasingly shaped by stakeholder participation and the mediating role of advanced technologies.