Emerging intermediation role configurations in innovation ecosystems

Abstract

Purpose – Innovation ecosystems rely on intermediaries, yet intermediation is often conceptualised as a static role tied to fixed entities. This paper develops an adaptive intermediation concept, explaining how a designated governance unit reconfigures its connecting, facilitating, and integrating functions as ecosystem maturity and urgency evolve. Research methodology – We adopt a dynamic capabilities perspective to develop a theoretical framework for this research based on literature analysis and conduct an empirical single-case study of Latvia’s smart-city ecosystem, to complement our theoretical findings by the analysis of empirical phenomena, and to design our theoretical propositions. Findings – The governance unit’s effectiveness in the innovation ecosystems relies on its capability to reconfigure intermediation functions. We identify three evolving configurations of governance: (1) connecting, (2) facilitation, and (3) directive integration under high urgency, and explain their reconfiguration in the innovation ecosystems. Research limitations – Empirical evidence for this research comes from a pilot exploratory study of a single civic-innovation ecosystem; therefore, the applicability and transferability of the research findings should be further tested through comparative multi-case and mixed-method longitudinal studies. Practical implications – The findings of this research provide a diagnostic lens for ecosystem managers and policymakers to anticipate when to prioritise coordination, facilitation, and brokerage, or an integration approach, and how to project the intermediary role within the ecosystem. Originality/Value – This study shifts intermediary theory from type-based categorisation towards a processual, capability-based approach of the intermediary role reconfiguration aligned with ecosystem evolution.