Ecosystem transformation for digital servitization : A systematic review, integrative framework, and future research agenda

Manufacturing firms are increasingly seeking to capture the potential of digitalization by transforming towards digital servitization. Yet, most manufacturers struggle to realize the value through digital servitization because it requires a sustained focus on forming ecosystem partnerships. Digital servitization research has long recognized the importance of ecosystem tranformation but much of the existing discussion on this interlink is fragmented and understudied. Therefore, this study’s purpose is to investigate how manufacturing firms engaged in digital servitization transform their ecosystems. To this end, we have examined the triggers, firm-level enablers, ecosystem phases and activities, and effects of ecosystem transformation in digital servitization. We provide a comprehensive review of the phases of ecosystem transformation including ecosystem formation, orchestration, and expansion as well as their associated activities. These findings have been consolidated into an integrative framework for ecosystem transformation and, based on this analysis, suggestions for future research are provided for digital servitization scholars.© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Digital servitization strategies for SME internationalization : the interplay between digital service maturity and ecosystem involvement

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand how digital servitization enables the process of internationalization for industrial SMEs. Design/methodology/approach The present study has adopted an exploratory multiple case study, conducting a total of 40 interviews in a two-phased approach to data collection. The first phase consisted of exploratory interviews with twenty-six industrial SMEs connected to the manufacturing industry in Sweden and Finland. Then, six SMEs were selected in the second phase to participate in additional in-depth interviews. Findings First, this study identifies three gradual enabling phases concerned with the digital service maturity of SMEs consisting of digital awareness, digital service innovation and digital service mass customization. Second, the three interdependent phases of ecosystem knowledge synergy, ecosystem integration and ecosystem value co-creation were identified to improve ecosystem involvement. Finally, a process framework has been developed for SME internationalization consisting of a digital servitization innovation strategy, a digital servitization ecosystem strategy and a digital servitization scaling strategy. Originality/value The present research contributes to how digital servitization enables SME internationalization by demonstrating how the development of digital service offerings and ecosystem partnerships supports the internationalization process. This research extends the literature by proposing a process framework for the digital-servitization-enabled internationalization of SMEs. This process perspective provides a richer explanation of the complex interplay between servitization, digitalization and ecosystems choices, which supports the expansion into international markets.© Milad Kolagar, Wiebke Reim, Vinit Parida and David Sjödin. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcodeFunding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributors of funders which made this research possible: Vinnova, PiiA, Intereg Nord and Intereg Bothnia Atlantica.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Enabling the Digital Transformation of Small Firms in Sweden: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Challenge Mapping and Policy Recommendations

Small firms are regarded as the backbone of the Swedish economy, driving the creation of jobs, shaping economic growth, and fostering innovation. However, small firms are challenged by rapidly changing markets and competitive condi­tions where new technologies and digital business models are disrupting the established order. These firms must, therefore, undergo a fundamental transformation and become more efficient, responsive, and agile in order to remain competitive. Digital transformation poses unique challenges to small firms (over and above larger enterpris­es), due to the liability of smallness (e.g., size and access to resources) and the liability of new­ness (e.g., legitimacy in the value chain, bargaining power). This behooves small firms to draw on the support of a wide range of external relationships to exploit the benefits of the new digital economy. However, it has been reported that most small firms fail to gain support from the other actors in their ecosystems. Thus, to ensure successful digital transformation in small firms, there is a need to better understand the various influencing roles in the relationships that comprise the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our findings focus on four main types of entrepreneurial ecosystem actors who have the greatest influence on the digital transformation of small firms in Sweden. Funding organizations, large firms, intermediaries, and universities are highlighted as the key actors providing small firms with the necessary resources, knowledge, technological capabilities, legitimacy, and business contacts. Key relation-specific challenges are identified, pointing to the needs and expectations of small firms to gain support from each of these actors. To conclude, recommendations are provided on how policy and industry decision-makers can act to mitigate such challenges. As a result, our contribution seeks to support and accelerate small Swedish firms in their endeavors to undertake digital transformation that is both sustainable and competitive

Adherence to Urban Agriculture in Order to Reach Sustainable Cities; a BWM–WASPAS Approach

Today, the uncontrolled urban expansion and ever-increasing rise of construction have caused the need for food, urban greenery, and a healthy environment to be felt more than any other time. On the other hand, population growth and the reduced production of agricultural products and food have jeopardized food security in urban areas, which will endanger the sustainable development of cities. However, the main problem, in which many societies are involved, is how to respond to these needs in a sustainable way. One of the ways of responding to these dilemmas in large cities is the purposeful implementation of urban agriculture. Urban agriculture development, as an important issue, requires the adoption of fundamental and logical policies. In this regard, this research was conducted to evaluate the extent of adherence to urban agriculture in Iran’s eight densely populated cities using a new combined approach of the best–worst method (BWM) and weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS). The results indicated that urban agriculture still has a long way to go and should be considered more seriously. Moreover, vertical farming has been suggested as one of the ways of promoting urban agriculture in the country and smoothing the way to sustainable development

Ecosystem transformation for digital servitization: A systematic review, integrative framework, and future research agenda

Manufacturing firms are increasingly seeking to capture the potential of digitalization by transforming towards digital servitization. Yet, most manufacturers struggle to realize the value through digital servitization because it requires a sustained focus on forming ecosystem partnerships. Digital servitization research has long recognized the importance of ecosystem tranformation but much of the existing discussion on this interlink is fragmented and understudied. Therefore, this study’s purpose is to investigate how manufacturing firms engaged in digital servitization transform their ecosystems. To this end, we have examined the triggers, firm-level enablers, ecosystem phases and activities, and effects of ecosystem transformation in digital servitization. We provide a comprehensive review of the phases of ecosystem transformation including ecosystem formation, orchestration, and expansion as well as their associated activities. These findings have been consolidated into an integrative framework for ecosystem transformation and, based on this analysis, suggestions for future research are provided for digital servitization scholars