Introduction to Special Issue
Networked Innovation: Ecosystems, Tensions, and Collaborative Futures
a cura di Francesco Bolici1 e Lorenzo Mercurio2
1 Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale
2 Università di Napoli Federico II
In recent decades, network-based perspectives have become increasingly influential in understanding how actors—whether individuals, organizations, or institutions—coordinate and co-create innovations in rapidly changing environments (Haythornthwaite, 1996; Carayannis & Campbell, 2009; Bolici et al., 2022). Digital innovation, in particular, has significantly altered how ecosystems emerge and operate, introducing new opportunities as well as critical tensions (Nachira et al., 2007; Senyo et al., 2019; Eloundou et al., 2023). These tensions span multiple dimensions: privacy versus data-driven efficiency (Stahl & Wright, 2018); generative AI’s transformative potential versus concerns for ethics and responsible adoption (Eloundou et al., 2023); technological reshaping of healthcare systems versus the need for inclusive patient-centered approaches (Illario et al., 2022); and the strategic rethinking of industrial operations in pursuit of sustainability (Riesener et al., 2019; Yung et al., 2023). Against this backdrop, the “Triple Helix” model and its various evolutions (Quadruple and Quintuple Helix) underscore the need for collaboration among academia, industry, government, and civil society to address these emerging complexities (Leydesdorff & Etzkowitz, 1998; Carayannis & Campbell, 2009; Carayannis et al., 2012). Embracing such ecosystemic thinking is vital to promoting innovation that is not only economically viable but also socially and ethically sound.
This Special Issue stems from the awareness that organizations today operate under multi-actor, multi-level influences, where ecosystemic structures—dynamic networks of interconnected actors—shape how knowledge is created, shared, and applied (Chang & West, 2006; Cuel et al., 2021). The call for papers emphasized several core themes. Among them are: the impact of innovative technologies on organizations, helix models of innovation and their extension to emerging technologies, patient-centric and one-health perspectives in healthcare, the growing role of AI and data governance in shaping knowledge flows, policymaker engagement in facilitating innovation ecosystems, approaches to industrial sustainability, and open innovation challenges for SMEs (Khan & Arshad, 2019; Radziwon & Bogers, 2019). Ultimately, this issue seeks to unveil the theoretical and empirical contours of tensions arising from advanced digital innovation and to present paths for their resolution.
The articles featured here collectively address these challenges and opportunities while grouping into thematic areas that showcase both the breadth of ecosystemic perspectives and the shared challenges across different domains. A first set of contributions underscores the crucial importance of data governance and the orchestration of collaborative networks.
In this vein, Kazemargi et al. (2025) examine data governance within emergent digital ecosystems and propose ways for organizations to navigate distributed data sources and blockchain-based certification, while Carollo et al. (2025) investigate organizational dynamics and tensions in innovation ecosystems, highlighting issues of trust, collaboration, and asymmetries in how innovation is distributed among stakeholders. Ceci et al. (2025), moreover, explore multicultural networks and their role in shaping innovation ecosystems. Through an ethnographic study of a Dutch innovation hub, they show how cultural diversity catalyzes creativity and tacit knowledge exchange, even as it sometimes slows the execution of complex projects and large-scale initiatives.
Next, two studies delve into sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility as key elements of ecosystem design. Colombi et al. (2025) shed light on an ecosystemic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), illustrating how collaborative networks and dynamic capabilities embed social and ethical values into a banking institution’s operations. Varone et al. (2025a) complement this perspective with a focus on industrial sustainability in the naval and aerospace sectors, showing how circular business models and partnerships among public authorities, firms, and academia can remove obstacles to greener production processes.
Meanwhile, AI-driven transformation emerges as a powerful force in reshaping both societal practices and policy frameworks. Orlando et al. (2025) address how assistive AI-based technologies expand human capabilities, yet simultaneously demand careful consideration of ethical and inclusivity principles to avoid reinforcing “abilist” standards. Varone et al. (2025b) further broadens this lens, proposing a governance framework for emerging AI ecosystems in which public institutions become co-designers, coordinators, and technology-transfer promoters, rather than mere regulators.
A final strand of contributions explores the organizational and societal implications of these transformative processes. Rodighiero et al. (2025) focus on collaborative spaces—such as coworking and makerspaces—as innovation intermediaries that unify diverse actors, supporting new ventures, knowledge flows, and open innovation, particularly for smaller or less-resourced players. Pernice et al. (2025), in turn, examine the tensions induced by digital transformation in healthcare, ranging from tecnostress among practitioners to changing requirements for patient advocacy groups, and discuss what managerial and policy measures can ensure these digital shifts enhance well-being rather than undermine it.
Taken together, these contributions underscore the fundamental importance of multi-actor collaborations, institutional orchestration, and inclusive design in harnessing the potential of advanced digital technologies. They point to the necessity of robust governance frameworks, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and strategic policymaking to address tensions—such as data privacy versus utility, or efficiency gains versus ethical concerns. At the same time, they demonstrate the promise of collaborative, network-centric approaches capable of aligning diverse stakeholder interests for shared, sustainable outcomes. We hope this Special Issue serves as a platform for ongoing dialogue, research, and innovation in organizing complex ecosystems at the frontier of technological and social transformation.
References
Bolici, F., Cuel, R., Ghiringhelli, C., & Virili, F. (2022). Ecosystems in Blockchain Competence Certification: An Explorative Multi-Perspective Analysis. In L. Solari, M. Martinez, A. M. Braccini, & A. Lazazzara (Eds.), Do Machines Dream of Electric Workers? (Vol. 49, pp. 99–108). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83321-3_7
Carayannis, E. G., & Campbell, D. F. J. (2009). “Mode 3” and “Quadruple Helix”: Toward a 21st century fractal innovation ecosystem. International Journal of Technology Management, 46(3/4), 201. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTM.2009.023374
Carayannis, E. G., Barth, T. D., & Campbell, D. F. (2012). The Quintuple Helix innovation model: Global warming as a challenge and driver for innovation. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 1(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/2192-5372-1-2
Chang, E., & West, M. (2006). Digital Ecosystems: A Next Generation of the Collaborative Environment. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Integration and Web-based Applications & Services.
Cuel, R., Virili, F., Ghiringhelli, C., & Bolici, F. (2021). An Emerging Digital Ecosystem: Blockchain Competence Certification Networks. In F. Ceci, A. Prencipe, & P. Spagnoletti (Eds.), Exploring Innovation in a Digital World (Vol. 51, pp. 50–61). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87842-9_5
Eloundou, T., Manning, S., Mishkin, P., & Rock, D. (2023). GPTs are GPTs: An Early Look at the Labor Market Impact Potential of Large Language Models. arXiv. http://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130
Haythornthwaite, C. (1996). Social network analysis: An approach and technique for the study of information exchange. Library & Information Science Research, 18(4), 323–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-8188(96)90003-1
Illario, M., De Luca, V., Triassi, M., et al. (2022). Interactions Between EIP on AHA Reference Sites and Action Groups to Foster Digital Innovation of Health and Care in European Regions. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 17, 343–358. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S323723
Khan, Y. K., & Arshad, A. S. M. (2019). Innovation Ecosystem in the Small and Medium Enterprises. Journal of Management Info, 6(1), 51–54. https://doi.org/10.31580/jmi.v6i1.461
Leydesdorff, L., & Etzkowitz, H. (1998). The Triple Helix as a model for innovation studies. Science and Public Policy, 25(3), 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1093/spp/25.3.195
Nachira, F., Dini, P., & Nicolai, A. (2007). A Network of Digital Business Ecosystems for Europe: Roots, Processes and Perspectives. European Commission.
Radziwon, A., & Bogers, M. (2019). Open innovation in SMEs: Exploring inter-organizational relationships in an ecosystem. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 146, 573–587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2018.04.021
Riesener, M., Dölle, C., & Kuhn, M. (2019). Innovation Ecosystems for Industrial Sustainability. Procedia CIRP, 80, 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2019.01.035
Senyo, P. K., Liu, K., & Effah, J. (2019). Digital business ecosystem: Literature review and a framework for future research. International Journal of Information Management, 47, 52–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.01.002
Stahl, B. C., & Wright, D. (2018). Ethics and Privacy in AI and Big Data: Implementing Responsible Research and Innovation. IEEE Security & Privacy, 16(3), 26–33. https://doi.org/10.1109/MSP.2018.2701164
Yung, K. L., Jiang, Z.-Z., He, N., Ip, W. H., & Huang, M. (2023). System Dynamics Modeling of Innovation Ecosystem With Two Cases of Space Instruments. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 70(7), 2394–2403. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2020.3018782
INDICE DEGLI ARTICOLI
Dinamiche organizzative e tensioni emergenti negli ecosistemi per l’innovazione: spunti dal caso del consorzio Intellimech
Luca Carollo, Edoardo Della Torre, Raoul Nacamulli
Multicultural Networks in Innovation Ecosystems
Giuseppe Ceci, Michela Iannotta, Mauro Gatti
Ecosistemi di Innovazione, Capacità Dinamiche e Responsabilità Sociale d’Impresa: Il Caso della Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Napoli
Viviana Colombi Evangelista, Amedeo Manzo, Filomena Riemma
Data Governance in Data Ecosystems: A Research Note
Niloofar Kazemargi, Simona Leonelli, Paolo Spagnoletti, Federica Ceci, Blerina Sinaimeri, Filippo Marchesani
Posthuman discourses and human work: the case of “AI based” technologies designed to support people with disabilities
Luca Orlando, Giuseppe Esposito, Claudio Valerio
What role(s) for Public Institutions in Emerging AI Ecosystems? Co-Designers, Coordinators and Promoters of Technology Transfer
Alberto Varone, Federico Ceschel, Lucia Marchegiani, Francesco Bolici
Promoting Industrial Sustainability Through the Development of a Collaborative Ecosystem in Lazio’s Naval and Aerospace Sectors
Alberto Varone, Gabriele Diana, Fancesco Bolici
The role of collaborative spaces in enabling innovation ecosystems: a qualitative study in Italy
Stefano Rodighiero, Maurizio Busacca, Anna Chiara Scapolan
Autori
ProspettiveinOrganizzazione è promossa dall’Associazione Italiana di Organizzazione Aziendale (ASSIOA), che si propone di contribuire allo sviluppo e alla diffusione delle conoscenze di Organizzazione aziendale in ogni ambito scientifico ed applicativo. E’ una rivista digitale il cui obiettivo è partecipare al dibattito politico, sociale ed economico su temi rilevanti per il nostro Paese fornendo un punto di vista di analisi organizzativa. L’auditorio è quindi costituito non solo da accademici e ricercatori, ma anche da manager, imprenditori, giornalisti, politici di varie branche, oltre che da gente comune. La rivista ha periodicità trimestrale con quattro uscite all’anno, a cui si aggiunge un numero monografico, che ospita una selezione dei paper più interessanti presentati al Workshop Annuale di Organizzazione Aziendale.
