Track leaders:  

• Arman Aksoy, Polytechnique Montréal, Canada 

• Guilia Piantoni, Politecnico di Milano, Italy 

• Catherine Beaudry, Polytechnique Montréal, Canada 

 

Collaboration between universities, industries, governments and communities has driven advancements in science and technology, fostering economic growth and societal development. These partnerships have evolved into more complex, dynamic and interdependent networks, known as innovation ecosystems, where multiple stakeholders contribute to innovation, knowledge transfer, and commercialization of ideas. Innovation ecosystems are emerging as critical frameworks to address some of today’s most pressing challenges.

This track invites papers that investigate the dynamics of innovation ecosystems, with a focus on the interactions among diverse actors and their collective role in generating new technologies, creating and sharing value, and advancing economic, social, and broader development goals. We especially encourage studies that go beyond traditional economic and technologic indicators (such as income and patent counts) to explore the full spectrum of these actors’ impacts. We particularly welcome studies that delve into three macro-themes:

1. Measuring and monitoring value creation in innovation ecosystems. This theme invites contributions that explore frameworks, approaches, tools, and indicators—particularly non-economic ones—for assessing technological and scientific impact as well as value creation. We welcome studies on monitoring systems and impact assessments applied at the ecosystem level to better capture the breadth of innovation’s influence.

2. Strategies for value creation and capture. This theme welcomes studies on business models, decision-making processes, and initiatives that enhance the resilience and longevity of innovation ecosystems, especially amid evolving dynamics and decreasing government investment. Of particular interest are the roles of intermediaries and hub firms in establishing value creation and capture mechanisms that reinforce ecosystem-wide stability through value sharing.

3. Dynamics between ecosystem actors and ecosystem governance for resilience and sustained growth. This theme invites studies on the intricate dynamics and governance mechanisms that sustain innovation ecosystems. Topics may include the structures and processes that foster ecosystem resilience, attract new stakeholders, and support long-term growth. We particularly welcome contributions examining governance approaches that address opportunistic or predatory behaviors, balance diverse stakeholder interests, and create environments conducive to innovation and organic collaborations. By exploring these dynamics, this theme seeks insights into how innovation ecosystems evolve, adapt, and maintain cohesion amid changing economic, social, and ecological landscapes.

In sum, this track provides a platform for advancing our understanding of innovation ecosystems as vital structures in the pursuit of long-term development from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. By examining methods to measure and monitor ecosystem impacts, strategies for long-term value creation and capture, and the dynamics that shape ecosystem evolutions, we aim to foster discussions that will shed light on how these ecosystems can support resilient, inclusive, and long-term growth. We invite researchers and practitioners to contribute to this track with studies that transcend traditional metrics and approaches, embracing broader social, environmental, and economic indicators to illustrate the full impact of innovation ecosystems.

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