This paper proposes an evolutionary and sustainability perspective of the innovation ecosystem. This study revisits the Panarchy model in order to generate new perspectives on the innovation ecosystem. The Panarchy model describes the evolutionary nature of complex adaptive systems relying on four phases, without, however, being deterministic: exploitation, conservation, decline, and reorganization. When ecosystems face important shocks, adaptive mechanisms and properties within the ecosystem lead the ecosystem to a new reorganization phase, which gives birth to another exploitation phase. In this perspective, the innovation ecosystem allows the avoidance of technology lock-ins and structural and organizational rigidity by providing mechanisms to enhance both resilience and competitiveness. Innovation ecosystem sustainability relies on two major dual forces: the exploitative function and the generative or autopoiesis function. Therefore, evolutionary and sustainability perspectives remain the "natural home" for developing works and models about the innovation ecosystem, and instrumental for policy-makers and practitioners involved in innovation management. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3232 2 of 17The approach that developing innovation processes and competitive advantage relies on a business-friendly environment with complex relationships between actors is not new. The Marshallian hypothesis on "industrial districts" have already described the importance of geographic and relational proximity characterized by complementarities and interdependences between a diversity of economic actors regarding the competitiveness of a given territory [11]. Becattini, in the 1980s, expanded the concept of Industrial districts to characterize Italian districts' competitiveness [12]. Porter delved deeper into this concept and popularized, in the 1990s, the cluster concept, which is defined as a concentration of small, medium, or large firms, organizations, and institutions, which are in synergy in a particular technological field within a geographic area [13]. At the same time, evolutionary economists have developed the concept of the "innovation system" as incorporating the role of institutions in the structuring (at different scales: sector, territorial, or topological) of this strategic and interactionist environment favoring the development of innovation processes [14][15][16][17].Given such an abundant theoretical corpus, many are critical of and skeptical about the potential contribution of the innovation ecosystem concept. According to Oh et al., the added value this concept generates is so low that its mobilization exposes the researcher much more to questionable scientific rigor and invalid knowledge production. Its use can even lead to harmful and dangerous political and strategic choices [18]. Faced with these criticisms, the ecosystem concept has become a more and more contested concept, calling for more robust conceptual and theoretical foundations. In addition, these criticisms highlight the need for concrete operational...

No abstract

This article analyzes the involvement of researchers to improve the wine producer’s capacity to adapt to climate change. The notion of “involvement” is related to the researchers’ investment in both the knowledge production on climate change and the social networks which are connecting them to wine producers. A survey was conducted among 94 researchers and engineers in three wine regions (Languedoc, Aquitaine and Champagne). The researchers’ involvement in Climate Change adaptation is influenced by their research field, their regional location and their organizational affiliation. However, personal characteristics do not influence this involvement. Statistical analysis suggests a duality between the involvement of R&D actors in the production of knowledge on climate change and its ability to build relationships with business leaders. Finally, this paper highlights the Sectoral System of Innovation approach as a relevant framework for climate change adaptation studies.Cet article analyse l’implication des acteurs de la recherche dans l’amélioration de la capacité des agents économiques à s’adapter au changement climatique. Le concept "implication" prend en compte l’investissement du chercheur dans la production de connaissances scientifiques sur le changement climatique et sa capacité à construire des réseaux avec les entreprises. Des enquêtes ont été réalisées auprès de 94 chercheurs et expérimentateurs dans trois régions viticoles (Languedoc-Roussillon, Aquitaine et Champagne). Les résultats montrent que la région, le domaine de recherche et l’organisme de rattachement jouent sur l’implication du chercheur dans l’adaptation au changement climatique. En revanche, les caractéristiques personnelles n’influencent pas cette implication. Les analyses statistiques suggèrent une dualité entre investissement des chercheurs dans la production de connaissances et leur capacité à tisser des liens avec les entreprises. L’article renforce, enfin, l’intérêt du cadre d’analyse des Systèmes Sectoriels d’Innovation pour étudier l’adaptation au changement climatique

PurposeThis study analyzes how the innovation ecosystem helps integrate technology-push and market-pull strategies in the Industry 4.0 paradigm.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates companies' involvement in the Industry 4.0 paradigm through technology-push strategies, and through both technology-push and market-pull strategies. The authors perform two econometric logit models to test the influence of collaborations with heterogeneous actors, research and university relationships, and relations with business incubator (the pivot actor) on companies' involvement in Industry 4.0.FindingsThe study empirically shows that developing relationships with a greater diversity of actors, collaborating with university and research laboratories, and developing intense relationships with business incubator increase the likelihood for companies to integrate both technology-push and market-pull strategies in companies' involvement in the Industry 4.0 paradigm.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights to practitioners who are interested or involved in the new Industry 4.0 paradigm. The authors' study explains how specific features of an innovation ecosystem, such as complex interactions among actors, can stimulate creative ideas and successfully implement innovations to address Industry 4.0 challenges.Originality/valueFirst, the authors confirm the role of the innovation ecosystem on companies' involvement in the Industry 4.0 paradigm. Second, the authors study highlights that the innovation ecosystem is a new relevant framework that enables companies to integrate both technology-push and market-pull strategies. Third, we provide empirical evidence about the role of business incubator on firms' strategies to get involved in the Industry 4.0 paradigm.