Exploring how different innovation ecosystems create shared value: insights from a multiple case study analysis

Purpose: Innovation ecosystems (IEs) have attracted the attention of policymakers and researchers because of their potential to positively affect territories, creating shared value. However, due to the fragmentation of IEs, how this happens in different IEs has been explored only partially. This research aims to bridge this gap, aiming to support policymakers in understanding how to foster shared value in diverse IEs. Design/methodology/approach: The paper identifies, based on the literature, two “drivers of aggregation” of IE’s actors as key dimensions characterizing shared value in IEs, namely physical proximity and dominant issue. If these are combined, three archetypes emerge: Hub- and Chain-Driven, Place-Driven, Competence- and Issue-Driven IEs.Then, elements useful for understanding shared value creation in these archetypes are framed and studied in real cases. Findings: Results reveal that aggregation drivers affect shared value creation, which differ among archetypes: in Competence- and Issue-Driven IEs alignment is challenged by the low physical proximity, which in Place-Driven IEs is high, but not enough to grant shared value; in Hub- and Chain-Driven IEs, the hub is the orchestrator, representing both a driver and a risk. Originality/value: Differences in shared value creation processes relate to the set-up of the IE, which has relevant implications for policy definition. In Competence- and Issue Driven IEs, policies at diverse levels align in funding and promoting the IE; in Place-Driven IEs, policies support anchors’ development on-site; in Huband Chain-Driven IEs, policies, sometimes absent, should foster partnerships for projects for the territory, IE’s enlargement and resilience.