Article: Nexus between innovation ecosystem and innovation performance Journal: International Journal of Business Innovation and Research (IJBIR) 2026 Vol.39 No.9 pp.1 - 20 Abstract: The business climate is faced with turbulent environment. The situation is more pronounced in the manufacturing sector. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the influence of innovation ecosystem (IE) on innovation performance (IP) in manufacturing firms with a focus on major industrial counties in Kenya. Mixed method design was used. The target population was 2,484 employees drawn from 828 firms. Multi-stage sampling was employed to sample 345 employees drawn from 115 firms. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, interview schedules and checklists. Data was analysed using smart partial least square. It was concluded that IE has a significant influence on IP. It was therefore recommended that the operating environment should be enhanced for improved competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. The study is useful to the various stakeholders in the manufacturing sector. Further studies should be carried out on how trust can be managed in IE. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Nexus between innovation ecosystem and innovation performance

Authors: Isaac Muiruri Gachanja

Addresses: University of Embu, P.O. Box 6 – 60100, Embu, Kenya

Abstract: The business climate is faced with turbulent environment. The situation is more pronounced in the manufacturing sector. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the influence of innovation ecosystem (IE) on innovation performance (IP) in manufacturing firms with a focus on major industrial counties in Kenya. Mixed method design was used. The target population was 2,484 employees drawn from 828 firms. Multi-stage sampling was employed to sample 345 employees drawn from 115 firms. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, interview schedules and checklists. Data was analysed using smart partial least square. It was concluded that IE has a significant influence on IP. It was therefore recommended that the operating environment should be enhanced for improved competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. The study is useful to the various stakeholders in the manufacturing sector. Further studies should be carried out on how trust can be managed in IE.

Keywords: innovation ecosystem; innovation performance; competitiveness; knowledge entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2026.153275

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2026 Vol.39 No.9, pp.1 - 20

Received: 10 Sep 2024
Accepted: 13 Mar 2025
Published online: 29 Apr 2026 *

Title: Nexus between innovation ecosystem and innovation performance

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