Innovation Ecosystems: A Sustainability Perspective

In the last decade, the increasing globalization of markets and revolution 4.0, has caused profound changes in the best way to manage the innovation process. The innovation methods of the past are not well adapted to the turbulence of the modern world.

In order to be competitive, companies must develop capabilities that will allow them to react rapidly to market demands.

The development of new complex products/services requires access to a distinct set of resources and skills that companies do not normally have. Thus, in order to ensure their level of competitiveness, companies are confronted with the following dilemma: to develop the skills and resources needed from their own assets, they sometimes need to make significant investments, or, alternatively, use the skills and resources that can be made available by other companies in the context of an innovation ecosystem.

However, despite the fact that collaboration among companies in an innovation ecosystem had been considered unusual and indeed suspicious by many Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) managers until a few years ago, nowadays it is commonly assumed that many companies will participate in an innovation ecosystem. Literature in the field has pointed out that participating in an innovation ecosystem brings benefits to the involved entities. Underlying these expectations are, amongst others, the following factors: the sharing of risks and resources, the joining of complementary skills and capacities, and access to new/wider markets and new knowledge.

In fact, there is an intuitive assumption that, when a company is a member of a long-term networked structure, it will operate more effectively in pursuit of its goals.

However, it has been difficult to support this assumption due to the lack of models that support mechanisms explaining innovation processes in an innovation ecosystem environment.

This e-book comprises an edition of the Special Issue entitled “Innovation Ecosystems: A Sustainability Perspective”, published by the journal Sustainability, and includes a collection of thirteen papers that discuss theoretical approaches, case studies, and surveys focused on issues related to open innovation and its mechanisms in order to support the promotion and sustainability of innovation ecosystems.

Concerning theoretical contributions, Jütting, in a systematic literature review, explores and conceptualizes the idea of mission-oriented innovation ecosystems and presents a typology [1]

Dias et al. propose a functional holistic model which integrates the strategic, organizational, and operational levels, as well as a set of factors to take into account supporting innovative processes [2]. Based on the Panarchy model that describes the evolutionary nature of complex adaptive systems, Boyer proposes an evolutionary and sustainability perspective of the innovation ecosystem [3].

Santos et al. introduce a framework to evaluate the risk level of system development in open innovation environment based on a fuzzy logic approach [4]. Nunes and Abreu propose an open innovation risk management model based on concepts from social network analysis to estimate the outcome likelihood (success or failure) of ongoing open innovation projects [5].

Munodawafa and Johl, based on results achieved from a systematic literature review of eco-innovation, suggest that organizational stakeholders, resources, and capabilities are critical factors in the definition of an innovation strategy. Furthermore, the authors conclude that resource-based and stakeholder theories are frequently utilized to explain eco-innovation processes [6].

Sarri et al. introduce a new methodological proposal to help the development of smart management as a means to support the progressive development of technological innovations and their adoption in wine farms [7].

Zandebasiri et al. discuss the advantages of using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodologies supported by concepts from game theory in decision-making processes to ensure sustainable forest management [8].

Regarding studies and surveys, Costa and Matias discuss how open innovation can improve sustainable innovation ecosystems and drive the digital transition [9].

Wurster et al. discuss the results of a survey conducted in Germany with the purpose of creating an empirical foundation for the specification of software for sustainable automotive products, particularly sustainable tyres [10].

Yang et al. analyze the formation and evolution of BIM in China from the perspective of an innovation ecosystem [11]. Chaminade and Randelli, in their work. analyze the role of innovation ecosystems as a driver of wine industry transformation in the Panzano region [12].

Yordanova et al., in their work, analyze the role of a university in the development of technopreneurial intentions among Bulgarian STEM (STEM refers to any subjects that fall under the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) students [13].

Last but not least, as the guest editor of this e-book, I would like to express my profound gratitude for the opportunity to publish with MDPI. This acknowledgment extends to the Sustainability Editorial Office and especially to Mrs. Debbie Li, who has supported me constantly throughout this process.

It was a great pleasure to work in such conditions. I look forward to collaborating with the Sustainability journal in the future.