The Relationship between Responsible Innovation and Business Ecosystem Health …

This concluding section of the analysis aims at studying the relationship between the two foci of the research problem, namely responsible innovation and business ecosystem health. Based on the previous two analyses, the researchers observed a connection between the enablers of the responsible innovation and the health variables of the business ecosystem, which was not found in any previous research. The relationship (Figure 16) is below discussed.

The first finding of the responsible innovation analysis is that in order to be anticipatory, an investigation of stakeholders and their perceptions prior to designing and implementing innovation is needed. Camøno, due to field research done by the museum and an initial meeting with the potential stakeholders, was able to fulfil the anticipation dimension of responsible innovation. Being able to gather with stakeholders and understand opinions and willingness toward the project, the museum could picture what resources were on board and what was missing.

This, in turn, made the museum realize the kinds of partnerships that were needed for designing and implementing the project. At the same time, this laid the foundations for understanding how current and new businesses could accommodate the goal of the project and the new target of visitors, stimulating in this way a variety of new services and firms. All of this enhances niche creation, the health variable of business ecosystem indicating a meaningful variety and diversity.

Key Insight 1: Being aware from the beginning of the multiple potential actors and their needs and capabilities, allows for the understanding of how to create meaningful variety in the business ecosystem.

The second finding of the responsible innovation analysis is that thinking beyond the own interests is indicator of reflexivity. The museum, by including wider moral considerations, identified a limitation in the experience Camøno was providing and discovered new needs to be satisfied and included, enhancing niche creation. Also, wider moral considerations appeared among some business owners, who joined the project for the worthy cause benefiting the community rather than for their own interest. This actually reveals an intrinsic motivation which brings them together and strengthens the tie between them. This positively impacts the connectedness between the stakeholders, and hence intensifies the robustness of the ecosystem.

Key Insight 2: Considering broader societal matters, and not focusing on their own immediate interests, needs and goals strengthens the ties between members.

The third finding of the responsible innovation analysis is that enabling means of dialogue and integrating multiple values into the innovation are strong drivers of inclusion. Camøno, due to meetings and events as well as the development of a solution attractive for multiple stakeholders, managed to become inclusive. The constant dialogue among the stakeholders enabled the businesses to collaborate and feel very connected since the beginning.

This, in turn, intensifies the robustness of the ecosystem, the health variable indicating a strong and stable structure.

Although a cultural and geographic factor surely contributed to the connectedness and hence the robustness of the ecosystem, inclusion still appears to play an important role. At the same time, the fact of elaborating a solution matching multiple value requirements, reinvigorated the entrepreneurial vibe on the island and helped in bringing many businesses on board, both established and new ones. This makes the ecosystem vibrant and enhances its productivity.

Key Insight 3: To enforce an affinity between ecosystem members, an open discussion involving all those who seek to innovate as well as those who may be affected should be encouraged from the top.

Key Insight 4: Elaborating a common value underpinned by multiple stakeholders’ values enhances the willingness of members to collaborate and act vigorously and prolifically.

The fourth finding of the responsible innovation section is that flexibility and a collective sense of responsibility are crucial drivers of responsiveness. Camøno, due to its flexible structure and capacity to adapt and change according to new needs and circumstances, can be defined as quite responsive. Being capable of reacting to changing situations or stakeholders’ value contributes, again, to the robustness of the ecosystem, making it more prepared to respond and survive perturbations. Furthermore, the collective sense of protection Camøno members have towards their island, which enabled them to respond to some environmental threats, also stimulated the usage of existing resources, which by enhancing the effectiveness of the ecosystem, contributes to the ecosystem productivity.

Key Insight 5: Maintaining a certain degree of firm and interfirm flexibility is crucial for responding to external threats and new circumstances.

Key Insight 6: A widespread sense of responsibility among members is extremely meaningful as it helps prevent potential waste and increase profitability, by enabling greater effectiveness.

In conclusion, by looking at this analysis it can be noticed that specific enablers featuring Camøno as a responsible innovation actually enhance the three health variables of the business ecosystem around Camøno. Hence, a relationship connecting responsible innovation and business ecosystem health is suggested. This means that doing responsible innovation is not only in harmony with major social and environmental goals but it can also positively impact on the robustness, productivity and niche creation of a business ecosystem, hence it can be advantageous also from a business perspective.

Figure 16: Relationship responsible innovation - business ecosystem health