Editorial: Embracing human-centered innovation ecosystems in turbulent times

Abstract

Innovation has been a cornerstone for driving efficiency and productivity within businesses and governments. However, recent global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the escalating energy crisis underscore the limitations of a purely efficiencydriven approach. These crises have highlighted the importance of addressing broader aspects of the human condition, such as health, environmental sustainability, personal safety and happiness. This special issue of "Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy" aims to explore how human-centered innovation ecosystems can be developed and the pivotal role that governments play in fostering these ecosystems.The concept of innovation ecosystems has evolved, with a growing recognition that innovation should serve humanity as a whole. Traditional perspectives on innovation have often emphasized technological advancement and efficiency, sometimes at the expense of human well-being. The emerging concept of Industry 5.0 advocates for a shift towards a sustainable, human-centric and resilient industry (European Commission, 2022). This special issue seeks to advance this discourse by examining how innovation ecosystems can prioritize human-centric values.Governments have a critical role in developing human-centered innovation ecosystems. By creating supportive policies and frameworks, governments can encourage collaboration between large firms, startups and research institutions. These collaborations can drive innovations that address societal challenges and improve the overall quality of life (Lee and Trimi, 2021;Troise et al., 2022). Governments can also facilitate the development of digital technologies and infrastructures that enhance the resilience and adaptability of businesses and communities in times of crisis (Corvello et al., 2022). Contributions in this special issueThis special issue features four papers that contribute to our understanding of humancentered innovation ecosystems and the role of governments in fostering them:(1) Service Innovation within Public Universities: Implementing New Service Operations for Social and Racial Inclusion, by Condè and Faria, explores how public universities can innovate their service operations to promote social and racial inclusion. It highlights the role of higher education institutions in fostering inclusive innovation that benefits diverse communities. (2) Digital Humanism in Business Models: Unveiling Value Creation Mechanisms, by Franco et al., delves into the concept of digital humanism and its application in business models. It reveals how businesses can create value through human-centric approaches, integrating digital technologies to enhance human well-being.This paper forms part of a special section "Human-centered innovation ecosystems: the role of policies and institutions in times of multiple crises", guest edited by Vincenzo Corvello,