Exploring the Effects of Innovation Ecosystem Models on Innovative Performances of Start-Ups: The Contingent Role of Open Innovation

Abstract A firm’s participation in an innovation ecosystem can increase its competitiveness and potentiality in turbulent circumstances. From a resource-based view (RBV) and the value proposition perspective, this study explored how participation in heterogeneous innovation ecosystems affects the innovative performances (IPs) of start-ups. We studied the adaptability between innovation ecosystem models and open innovation (OI) strategies, as well as examined their effects on new ventures. Specifically, innovation ecosystem models were classified into platform- and product-based innovation ecosystems according to the structural logic of accessing resources. Then, we examined the effects of these ecosystems on the IPs of start-ups and analyzed the moderating effects of the breadth and depth of OI on these ecosystems. The findings revealed that the participation of start-ups in such ecosystems had positive effects on their IPs and OI breadth’s inverted U-shape moderated the relationships between product-based innovation ecosystems and the IPs while strengthening the positive relationships between platform-based innovation ecosystems and the IPs. In addition, OI depth enhanced the positive effects of both ecosystems on the IPs of start-ups. This study has enlightening implications for research on innovation ecosystems, OI, and entrepreneurs.