Title: Experimentations in emerging innovation ecosystems: specificities and roles. The case of the hydrogen energy fuel cell

Authors: Sihem Ben Mahmoud-Jouini; Florence Charue-Duboc

Addresses: GREGHEC – HEC, Paris Saclay University, 1, Rue de la liberation, 78351 Jouy en Josas Cedex, Paris ' I3/CRG-EcolePolytechnique – CNRS, Paris Saclay University, 828, Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau Cedex, Paris

Abstract: Little research has focused on the way an innovation ecosystem emerges and specifically what processes and tools support it. We argue that as in innovation development processes, experimentation may generate knowledge and reduce the uncertainties associated with this emergence. Based on a longitudinal study of hydrogen energy solutions that require a novel ecosystem, we outline four specificities of the experiments performed, designated as complete solution experiments, and their role in this emergence. They: 1) involve all the players required so as to deliver and operate a complete solution; 2) target real customers using the innovation in real conditions over a significant period of time; 3) are highly refined (components and complements are representative of an industrial offer); 4) are transparent on how the data generated will be exploited and shared with all the players who commit to the experiment, who are thus assured that they will acquire validated information.

Keywords: systemic innovation; innovation ecosystem; experimentation; prototyping; ecosystem emergence; complete solution experiment; CSE; fuel cell; hydrogen energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2017.085699

International Journal of Technology Management, 2017 Vol.75 No.1/2/3/4, pp.28 - 54

Accepted: 31 Mar 2016
Published online: 08 Aug 2017 *

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