Ecosystem orchestration practices for industrial firms: A qualitative meta-analysis, framework development and research agenda

• Published in: Journal of business research Vol. 173; p. 114463
• Main Authors: Shen, Lei, Shi, Qingyue, Parida, Vinit, Jovanovic, Marin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Coordination; Ecosystem orchestration; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Entreprenörskap och innovation; Governance; Innovation ecosystem; Orchestration practices; Qualitative meta-analysis; Innovation ecosystem; Qualitative meta-analysis; Ecosystem orchestration; Orchestration practices; Coordination; Governance
• ISSN: 0148-2963; 1873-7978; 1873-7978
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114463

•The present study undertakes a comprehensive qualitative meta-analysis based on published case studies.•We reveal 5 orchestration practices: strategic design, relational, resource integrating, technological and innovation.•Ecosystem strategic design, relational, resource integrating practices form the basic ecosystem orchestration framework.•Ecosystem technological leveraging and innovation practices are complementary ecosystem orchestration practices.•These five practices constitute the Stirring Model of ecosystem orchestration. This study ventures into the dynamic realm of ecosystem orchestration for industrial firms, emphasizing its significance in maintaining competitive advantage in the digital era. The fragmented research on this important subject poses challenges for firms aiming to navigate and capitalize on ecosystem orchestration. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive qualitative meta-analysis of 31 case studies and identified multifaceted orchestration practices employed by industrial firms. The core contribution of this research is the illumination of five interdependent but interrelated orchestration practices: strategic design, relational, resource integration, technological, and innovation. Together, these practices are synthesized into an integrative framework termed the “Stirring Model,” which serves as a practical guide to the orchestration practices. Furthermore, the conceptual framework clarifies the synergy between the identified practices and highlights their collective impact. This study proposes theoretical and practical implications for ecosystem orchestration literature and suggests avenues for further research.