Digital innovation ecosystem: a systematic mapping to understand how digital technologies are transforming innovation ecosystem

Digital-enabled innovation ecosystems (DIEs) are currently experiencing a period of growth and are becoming increasingly important in addressing grand challenges, including sustainability, technological disruption and inclusive innovation. In this study, digital innovation ecosystems are interpreted as innovation ecosystems that are enabled by digital technologies, rather than as a distinct or separate ecosystem category. This study provides a thorough, theory-driven systematic literature review examining the adoption of digital technologies (DTs), including selected deep-tech innovation, to address these challenges within innovation ecosystems (IEs). Using descriptive, bibliographic, and content analysis methods, the review evaluates 581 scholarly articles, narrowing them down to 328 based on titles, keywords, and full-text analysis. This in-depth investigation reveals eight distinct thematic clusters representing thematic configurations of IEs that have been transformed through digital and deep-tech innovations and the evolution of the research field. These include: i) IE dynamics, evolution, and strategic interactions enabled by DTs; ii) Shaping IE through digital platform and data-driven collaboration; iii) Digital innovation and DTs for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem; iv) DTs for Knowledge Transfer and collaboration within Open IEs; v) DTs to promote sustainability within IEs; vi) DTs impact on University IE; vii) DTs for Industry 4.0 IEs; viii) DTs for Urban Innovation Ecosystems and Smart City development. We develop a holistic and multi-theoretical framework from these research thematic areas that captures the dynamic interplay between actors, technologies, institutional contexts and innovation processes, taking into account the context of grand challenges. This study contributes to mapping the evolution of IE under the digital era, and proposing a future research agenda that focuses on the transformative role of DIEs in addressing complex societal issues.