Innovation Ecosystem: Review of the Research Field

Abstract

The article focuses on a relatively new concept of innovation ecosystem. The purpose of this article is to provide an analytical review of the Russian and international research field associated with this concept. The study relies on the methods of meaningful content analysis of publications. The article outlines the history of the concept’s emergence; six different approaches to its understanding and their evolution. Based on a wide range of sources, the analysis reveals the fundamental aspects of the concept directly related to the diversity of its applications. Demonstrating the differences between the concept of innovation ecosystem and other similar concepts (e. g. digital ecosystem, regional innovation ecosystem), we show the main feature of all ecosystems — the coevolution of its participants throughout their interaction. The factors that affect the development of innovation ecosystems are also identified. The final part of the article is devoted to the analysis of the interpretations of the concept ‘innovation ecosystem’ and to the conceptual ‘traps’ inherent in the operationalization of this concept. The concept ‘innovation ecosystem’ is now beginning to acquire practical significance marking the transition to a new paradigm in management; it is the starting point for a variety of approaches designed to solve specific practical problems.