Collaboration in innovation ecosystems: an institutionally-pulled perspective

This study examines how collaborative innovation processes are activated, structured and coordinated within institutionally-driven innovation ecosystems. Based on a qualitative process analysis of e.INS – Ecosystem of Innovation for Next Generation Sardinia, this research traces three sequential phases, namely activation, partner selection and coordination. The findings show that collaboration is governed through regulatory frameworks, rather than relational dynamics. The study contributes to the existing literature in introducing the institutionally-pulled model of ecosystems emergence , showing a multi-level orchestration structure with a public entity as ecosystem architect, and reframing collaboration as directive-driven.