Design framework of an ecosystem for network-based innovation. Conceptual research methodology
Abstract
Innovation for hardware development needs specific constituents like ideas, capital, knowledge, production means, market feedback, organization and brand in order to evolve und succeed. However, companies have limited resources resulting in missing innovation constituents impeding single-handed innovation and restricting the company´s innovation capability. In order to overcome limited resources with minimal effort as well as obtain new point of views additionally, companies need to participate in an innovation stimulating environment to get access to needed innovation constituents by collaborating with others. In such an innovation ecosystem diverse actors and infrastructures fulfill specific roles and contribute all necessary innovation constituents enabling a network-based innovation by collaboration. However, the contributing companies are economically independent of each other and also act opportunistic making a win-win situation for the innovation participants necessary. The objective of this paper is to illustrate why joint innovation in a network is essential for a company´s innovation capability and what deficits in literature exist in designing such innovation ecosystems. Based on that analysis, a design framework of an ecosystem for network-based innovation focusing on hardware development is introduced.
