No abstract

The need for modern enterprises to seamlessly interoperate, exchange resources and co-create with other enterprises poses significant challenges on the management of cross-enterprise information flows. This paper aims to introduce new ways for managing: a) information flow (re-)configurations; b) equilibrium state transitions in evolving collaboration networks. Our research effort was focused on the development of an adaptability model that helps entities in a collaboration network manage inter-enterprise information flows, in the presence of dynamic re-configurations of the network. A number of software tools were developed or are currently under development and new avenues are explored for automating the model's adaptability algorithm (e.g. be using Gordijn's e3-value framework). Overall, this research has advanced current thinking in dynamic cross-enterprise information management by providing: a) a model for selecting the desired configuration of a collaboration network, based on a value assessment of corresponding information flows; b) a set of software tools for practically engaging in such a decisionmaking process.

Information technologies and massively increased connectivity drive service-based organizations towards collaboration-driven innovation activities. From a systems theory viewpoint, a formal structure for observing these developments is service system networks; that is, networks of resource-integrating systems that co-create value through service exchange. Given their dynamic nature, service systems networks may need to reconfigure themselves, as systems join, leave or change their role in the network, thus potentially jeopardizing the network's viability. By following a design science research methodology, our research aims to address this challenge through a novel two-dimensional model that maps a service system's options ('roles') for positioning itself within a service systems network. Roles are defined as viability-inducing states, described in terms of three sets of attributes (role elements) that correspond to critical success factors of network viability: service innovation, collaboration and resilience. Hence, a move to a new role is acceptable if and only if network viability is satisfied.

Purpose – The need for modern enterprises to seamlessly interoperate poses significant challenges on their capabilities for engaging in multiple business networks. This paper considers a particular type of business network, namely, “service ecosystems”, and proposes architecture for enabling business firms to: control dissemination and usage of the resources they contribute to the ecosystem; and develop corresponding service offerings. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review informed our research work and contextualized the development of relevant research questions. The research questions were based on unstructured, creative techniques (e.g. brainstorming), combined with rigorous requirements specification for software tools developed as part of this research. Overall development was based on service science and enterprise interoperability research, distilled in four principles that provided the context and direction for this work. Findings – Three key components of the proposed architecture were developed: service map, which identifies the building blocks needed to construct a service ecosystem; interoperability model, as a decision-making mechanism for dynamic (re-) arrangement of a service map’s building blocks; and shared service infrastructure for the provision of support services to all ecosystem participants. Originality/value – This research has advanced current thinking in developing and managing service ecosystems. By adopting a service science viewpoint (service value co-creation, value-in-use), a holistic approach for building collaboration capabilities is described: at the enterprise level, it pertains to decision-making mechanisms for service provision; at the ecosystem level, it pertains to a software platform for managing common collaboration tasks.

Governments are increasingly focusing on achieving growth at regional, national and international levels. Research and practice indicates that innovation is a key driver for achieving this goal. Unfortunately, finding efficient ways to promote and manage innovation is not a straightforward task. It depends on potentially conflicting parameters that are critical for turning innovative ideas into local and national economic prosperity. To address the challenge, regional and national governments are adopting best-practice vehicles of innovation management. In this article, we focus on one such vehicle, namely business incubators. After presenting basic definitions, we provide quantitative and qualitative research findings on the positive effects that incubators may have on regional development. These findings are often constrained by lack of access of researchers in the internal structure of incubators, thus providing only an "outside-in" viewpoint. Our involvement in the development of an IT-focused incubator in the UK provided new research insights, from an "inside-out" perspective. The latter is presented in terms of an integrated incubator model and the structure of its components is described and analyzed.