The niche and value creation mechanism of the innovation ecosystem of crowd innovation space: a multi-case study

ABSTRACTTwelve crowd innovation spaces (from China) are selected as case samples, and the niche distribution model of the crowd innovation space's innovation ecosystem is constructed based on structural hole theory. Further, this research reveals the interactive relationship and value creation mechanism among the innovation ecosystem's components from the value co-creation theory perspective. The research draws the following conclusions from three aspects: (1) The niche of the components of the crowd innovation space ecosystem is characterised by multiple levels, which can be divided into the core layer, convergence layer, and support layer. (2) In the innovation ecosystem, crowd innovation space is at the convergence layer. By filling structural holes, the innovation ecosystem can reach the 'no holes' state. Thus, it can promote the connection of the components of the innovation ecosystem to form a network of innovation resources such as knowledge and technology; (3) The value creation in the crowd innovation space's innovation ecosystem is two-dimensional. Based on whether there is direct interaction or not, value creation can be divided into value co-creation and value auxiliary-creation. Relationship embeddedness and value co-creation are two important mechanisms of value creation in the innovation ecosystem of crowd innovation space.KEYWORDS: Crowd innovation spaceinnovation ecosystemstructural hole theoryvalue co-creation theory Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the National Social Science Key Fund of China [grant number 18AGL006].Notes on contributorsWu WeiWu Wei is a professor and Doctoral supervisor in the Economics and Management School, Wuhan University. He received his Ph.D. degree in management from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His research interests are mainly innovation, entrepreneurship and organisational behaviour.Hui NiHui Ni is a professor in the School of Business, Guangxi University. She received her Ph.D. degree in management from Economics and Management School, Wuhan University. Her research interests are mainly innovation, entrepreneurship and organisational behaviour. (Corresponding author, E-mail: nihuimail@163.com)Haoze ZhangHaoze Zhang is a Ph.D. candidate in the Economics and Management School, Wuhan University. His research interests are mainly finance, taxation, regional economy.Jia DuanJia Duan is a Ph.D. candidate in Dong Fureng Institute of Economic and Social Development, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. His research interests are mainly innovation, entrepreneurship and organisational behaviour.