Title: Insights for orchestrating innovation ecosystems: the case of EIT ICT Labs and data-driven network visualisations

Authors: Kaisa Still; Jukka Huhtamäki; Martha G. Russell; Neil Rubens

Addresses: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Kaitoväylä 1, 90571 Oulu, Finland ' Tampere University of Technology, Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720 Tampere, Finland ' mediaX at Stanford University, Cordura Hall, 210 Panama Street, Stanford, CA 94305-4115, USA ' Graduate School of Information Systems, University of Electro-Communications, 182-8585 Tokyo, Japan

Abstract: This paper explores opportunities for supporting the orchestration of innovation ecosystems, hence contributing to a fundamental capability in the networked world. We present analysis, evaluation and interpretation toward the objective of decision support and insights for transforming innovation ecosystems with a case study of EIT ICT Labs, a major initiative intended to turn Europe into a global leader in ICT innovation. Towards this, we use a data-driven, relationship-based and network centric approach to operationalise the 'innovation ecosystems transformation framework'. Our results indicate that with coordinated and continuously improved use of visual and quantitative social network analysis, special characteristics, significant actors and connections in the innovation ecosystem can be revealed to develop new insights. We conclude that the IETF transformation framework can be used to develop shared vision and to support the orchestration of innovation ecosystem transformations.

Keywords: innovation ecosystems; network visualisation; social network analysis; SNA; network orchestration; data-driven; transformation; technology management; EIT ICT Labs; decision support.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2014.064606

International Journal of Technology Management, 2014 Vol.66 No.2/3, pp.243 - 265

Received: 05 Mar 2013
Accepted: 27 Mar 2014
Published online: 20 Sep 2014 *

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