Digital antecedents and mechanisms towards sustainable digital innovation ecosystems: examining the role of circular supply chain resilience

Zeng B.; Chotia V.; Ghosh V.; Cheng J. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124220. 

The present study seeks to determine the connections among digital platform capabilities, digital market orientation, and circular supply chain resilience with sustainable digital innovation ecosystems. The study is designed to demonstrate how digital trust, digital openness, and other factors lay the foundation for developing circular supply chain resilience that can lead to sustainable innovation in a complex organizational context. An online survey of 293 employees was conducted in US and UK manufacturing firms. The findings show that digital platform capabilities and digital market orientation are positively related to a sustainable innovation ecosystem. The article also points out that digital openness and trust play a pivotal role in enabling the different supply chain stakeholders to collaborate, leading to resilient circular supply chain practices. The chain of digital openness, digital trust, and circular supply chain resiliency is the bedrock of sustainable innovation ecosystems. Companies that create digital platforms but are also oriented towards digital market orientation, transparency, and trust can develop resilient supply chains that help build a sustainable digital innovation ecosystem. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.

What facilitates the effectiveness of innovation ecosystem-specific experimentation? A dynamic capabilities perspective

Han J.; Zhou H.; Lowik S.; de Weerd-Nederhof P. Industry and Innovation. DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2024.2414737

There is the bourgeoning literature arguing that successfully delivering complex innovations to mass societies requires focal firms and their key partners to first perform a series of experimentation activities at the local small-scale societal level, known as Innovation Ecosystem-Specific Experimentation (IEE). Scholars have already evidenced the IEEs’ function to create viable innovation ecosystems, yet there is a dearth of information about which factors are associated with effective IEEs. We constructed the conceptual model based on a dynamic capabilities perspective. Our PLS-SEM analysis of 111 surveys in China indicates that (1) focal firms’ dynamic capabilities in metacognition, strategic networking, and learning agility are positively correlated with effective IEEs; (2) focal firms that use geographically accessible networking and innovation facilities tend to have stronger relationships between strategic networking capability and IEE, and between learning agility and IEE, respectively. Overall, this study enriches the literature on experimentation, entrepreneurial strategizing, and innovation ecosystem emergence. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

“Close enough to speak; distant enough to learn?” A critique of the entrepreneurial ecosystem metaphor

Harrison R.T. Journal of Technology Transfer. DOI: 10.1007/s10961-025-10206-w. 

Over the past decade, publications about the ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem’ (EE) have increased. EE promotes entrepreneurship-based innovation, value creation, and economic development. It emphasises the role of human agents, mainly entrepreneurs, and their interconnected actions within complex adaptive networks. This paper builds on previous critiques of the ecosystem metaphor and its flawed application to entrepreneurship (Mars et al., 2012; Pickett and Cadenasso in Ecosystems, 5:1–10, 2002; Krivý in Digit Geograph Soc, 5:100057, 2023; Kuckertz in J Bus Ventur Insights, 11:1–7, 2019; Harrison and Rocha, in: Huggins, Kitagawa, Prokop, Theodoraki, Thompson (eds) Entrepreneurial ecosystems in cities and regions: emergence, evolution, future, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2024). At best, the EE is a weak and inappropriate metaphor, offering limited value as an analytical tool. This analysis lays the groundwork for a critical perspective on future research regarding entrepreneurial ecosystems. This should focus on a paradigm of ‘closing down’—setting clear boundaries, reducing ambiguity, and examining what can and cannot be transferred from the source metaphor (ecosystem) to the target domain (place-specific entrepreneurship-led economic development). © The Author(s) 2025.

Leveraging Entrepreneurship for Environmental Sustainability: A Machine Learning Approach to SDG Achievement

Köseoglu M. Business Strategy and the Environment. 10.1002/bse.70011

In the face of escalating environmental challenges, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become crucial benchmarks for sustainability, with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) addressing key issues like energy efficiency, resource management, and climate change. This study explores the impact of the entrepreneurship ecosystem (EE) on these environmental goals, using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and applying advanced machine learning techniques such as bagging, random forest, boosting, Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), and Partial Dependence Plots (PDPs). Grounded in sustainability, innovation, Resource-Based View (RBV), and institutional theories, the study reveals the critical role of the business services sector, entrepreneurial intentions, and entrepreneurial education in driving progress toward environmental sustainability. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and contribute to the academic understanding of how entrepreneurship can be leveraged to achieve SDGs, emphasizing the need for a robust and integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem to foster sustainable practices. © 2025 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The agricultural clusters of Mexico

Ketelhohn N.W.; Quintanilla C. Competitiveness Review. DOI: 10.1108/CR-12-2024-0252

Purpose: Extant research on cluster mapping has excluded agriculture because agricultural employment data is elusive. This paper aims to define agricultural clusters in Mexico that complement the set of clusters proposed by Delgado et al. (2015). Design/methodology/approach: This paper proposes an algorithm that uses the footprint of production data from Mexico to define agricultural clusters based on the patterns of crop colocation. Findings: The authors find that there are 12 clusters of agricultural commodities in Mexico that represent 34.1% of agricultural production in the country. The authors also find that only a few crops are geographically concentrated, and that these crops tend to have higher land productivity that the rest of agriculture. Research limitations/implications: This paper is constraint to Mexico. However, the cluster definitions might be relevant to other countries. Practical implications: The authors find large land productivity differences between clusters and dispersed crops. The successful development of clusters of traded agricultural commodities can significantly impact a region’s prosperity. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first cluster-mapping effort of agricultural activity. © 2025, Emerald Publishing Limited.

How do urban amenities shape knowledge-intensive industry locations within cities? A multi-scalar study of Wuhan, China

Teng Y.; Wu Y.; Liu M. Applied Geography. DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2025.103659

Urban amenities are key factors in knowledge-intensive industrial agglomeration, yet their impact on cities remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by proposing a multi-scalar framework that distinguishes metropolitan-scale effects, shapes urban structure, and establishes regional competitive advantages from local-scale amenities, whose availability and diversity drive placemaking. Using Wuhan's automotive industry as a case study, detailed firm-level data, comprehensive amenity information, and spatial econometric techniques were employed. Findings reveal that while automotive firms cluster near high-amenity urban sectors, local urban areas exhibit specialized industrial clusters. The regression results confirm that localized attractiveness is driven by both the availability and diversity of amenities, as well as the division of urban spatial structure. However, high availability is particularly valued for essential infrastructure and public services rather than consumer amenities. Crucially, the effects of these factors vary due to the division of urban sectors: central districts mainly leverage amenities that may form a local innovation system for specialized clustering, whereas outer areas depend more on foundational public services and functional accessibility. These differentiated, amenity-driven localization patterns underscore the necessity for context-specific urban planning strategies that meet the distinct needs of different urban sectors, thereby optimizing intra-urban industrial agglomeration and economic performance. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

Strategic legislation for the promotion of university–industry collaborations: a case study of Taiwan

Truong T.H.; Lin B.-W.; Tung C.-P. Journal of Technology Transfer. DOI: 10.1007/s10961-024-10110-9. 

The strategic utilization of technology to enhance industrial competitiveness and product quality is pivotal for economic growth. As universities own more inventions, collaborative efforts between industry and academia become essential for regional competitiveness and overall economic advancement. This study explores Taiwan’s systematic approach to upgrading its infrastructure, emphasizing the significance of University–Industry Collaborations (UIC) in realizing Industry 4.0. Government strategies and policy decisions emerge as key drivers in fostering successful collaborative projects between industry and university teams. The relaxation of restrictions, particularly related to part-time teachers and technology transfer, along with the promotion of corporate programs, effective use of public funding, and the development of an innovative digital platform system for UIC, collectively contribute to establishing a robust university–industry cooperation mechanism. This mechanism has contributed to Taiwan’s move towards new digital advances in innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering industrial leadership and efficient governance. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.

Dynamic assessment and configurational analysis of Regional Green Innovation Ecosystem Competitiveness in China: An AEROBC framework

Deng Q.; Long Y.; Nie R. Journal of Cleaner Production. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.145669.

The Regional Green Innovation Ecosystem (RGIE) embodies the integration of green innovation and innovation ecosystems, offering a critical pathway to address the “Nordhaus Question.” This study constructs the “Actor-Environment-Resource-Output-Benefit-Connection” (AEROBC) structural paradigm to systematically evaluate RGIE competitiveness. Leveraging provincial panel data from China spanning 2012 to 2022, a competitiveness index is constructed using the CRITIC-TOPSIS method, complemented by dynamic evaluation and configurational path analysis via QCA. Key findings include: (1) The average RGIE competitiveness across 30 Chinese provinces is 0.293, reflecting a moderate overall level. (2) The composite index of RGIE demonstrates a leading position in eastern regions, with central regions performing slightly above the national average, while northeastern and western regions lag significantly, exhibiting pronounced spatial clustering effects. (3) The AEROBC subsystems display both synchronous and asynchronous spatiotemporal linkages, with evident spatial disparities. (4) External Benefits and System Coordination and Openness as a key driver of strong RGIEC, whereas low actor vitality and inadequate resource inputs are key barriers to competitiveness. This study can serve as a reference for stakeholders such as governments, enterprises, academia, and international organizations. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

Innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development of disadvantaged rural areas

Christodoulou-Volos C. Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Disadvantaged Rural Communities. DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3373-0214-0.ch003.

This chapter looks at the critical role of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving economic development, inclusive growth, and sustainability in disadvantaged rural areas. It highlights unique opportunities in rural regions, such as natural resources, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge, which can be leveraged for niche products and services like eco-tourism and organic farming. It addresses barriers that include limited finance, poor infrastructure, skill deficits, and market isolation and explores how innovation boosts productivity and competitiveness. Sustainability ensures long-term success by finding a balance between economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social equity. The chapter concludes with some very practical strategies, including microfinance expansion, investment in infrastructure, and sustainable business practices through certifications and carbon credits. It calls for collaboration among governments, private sector actors, NGOs, and communities as a way of building supportive ecosystems and market integration. © 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing.

Varieties of agglomeration: Disentangling horizontal and vertical agglomeration within the manufacturing sector in the United States.

Kalathil N.; Lanahan L.; Feldman M.; Fuchs E.R.H. Research Policy. DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2025.105272. 

We decompose regional agglomerations into two components that differentiate between horizontal (co-location with peer industries) and vertical (co-location with suppliers) agglomeration. Using employment and establishment data at the US county level and the six-digit industry level, we demonstrate that manufacturing industries and regions that would otherwise look similar, in fact vary in their degree of vertical and horizontal agglomeration. Industries with a higher contribution of manufactured goods to overall inputs' value are correlated with vertical agglomeration, while more R&D intensive industries are correlated with horizontal agglomeration. Using the semiconductor industry as an illustrative example, we document how heterogeneity in industry-county rates of vertical and horizontal agglomeration reflects differences in the products manufactured. These industry-level and within-industry differences are under-observed and sometimes obfuscated by existing agglomeration measures. We conclude with a theoretical framework for regional and industrial policy interventions. © 2025 The Authors.

Structural holes and firm innovation in industrial clusters: A dual embeddedness perspective

You S.; Wang L.; Zhou K.Z.; Jia L. Journal of Business Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115452.

While geography-related factors are critical to determining the functioning of networks, prior studies have overlooked how they may shape the impact of structural holes on firm innovation. Building on structural hole theory and the industrial cluster literature, we propose that structural holes negatively influence firm innovation in industrial clusters. Such negative impact can be attributed to broker firms’ social and political embeddedness in these clusters, and is thus moderated by social factors (i.e., local information density and intra-cluster partner ratio) and political factors (i.e., local government coordination and political connection importance). Our predictions receive support from a matched sample of on-site survey and secondary data from 221 firms in industrial clusters in China. This study contributes to structural hole theory by incorporating geographic factors and offers important implications for policymakers aiming to promote firm innovation. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.