Chapter 8: Ecosystem Types and the Timing of Open Innovation Strategies: A Theoretical Review

This chapter examines the effectiveness of ecosystem types (e.g., knowledge, business, and innovation, entrepreneurial and service ecosystems) in reaching short-term and long-term innovation objectives. This theoretical research is an explorative study that enables initial research on the relation between different ecosystem types, strategic objectives, and time horizons. Different ecosystem types are positioned in the McKinsey 3-horizon framework to shed light on their different focuses regarding time and strategies. The research is based on a literature review in various strands of literature. The findings shed light on the importance for firms to combine different ecosystem types to be better capable to accomplish short-term and long-term innovation objectives and to manage their innovation portfolio. We discuss how it is crucial for companies to be aware of the differences of ecosystem types in order for them to create an optimal portfolio of ecosystem participations that will enable them to take part in the joint generation of both current and future innovative opportunities. Our findings have important implications for future studies of ecosystem concept definition, ecosystem structures, ecosystem characteristics, ecosystem strategies and cultural perspectives, and empirical research.