Knowledge Sharing in Innovation Ecosystems: A Focus on Functional Food Industry

Abstract

This research investigated knowledge-based activities and outcomes in an innovation context, which is in line with recent contributions on ecosystems. The interactions that shape an innovation ecosystem are addressed to improve knowledge through sharing; this phenomenon was analyzed in-depth by focusing on a cross-industry, namely the Functional Food industry. Through a qualitative approach of the top firms in the UK regarding how they depict the innovation processes, the role of knowledge is described. The results are useful in illustrating how the openness of the approach adopted by firms leads to emphasizing the orientation towards knowledge sharing due to both new products and specific initiatives.