MODULE 5: SERVICE ECOSYSTEMS 15.3. - 28.3.21
The fifth theme of the course investigates service ecosystems. Value creation is changing from traditional pipelines to platforms and, eventually, complex ecosystems for producing services. These service ecosystems are often associated with a digital platform or a leading firm that manage the interactions within the ecosystem.
However, the first day of the module examines the service ecosystems more deeply and clarifies the distinctions between platforms, networks and ecosystems. The second meeting is organised as a hands-on workshop for an ecosystem design.
The module targets three learning goals, all of which focus on building your ability to critically evaluate any service ecosystem. First, you will learn to differentiate between platforms and ecosystems and apply that knowledge to different contexts. Next, you can consider the interplay of firm- and ecosystem-level business models. Third, you will learn to identify different goals, premises, and rules for an ecosystem, and understand how these can impact how the ecosystem develops.
WEDNESDAY 17.3: Service ecosystems
Prereading & presentation article is "Ecosystem as a structure". You can assign yourself into the presentation team here. This article explains the ideas about what is an ecosystem, in contrast to other forms of networked cooperation between firms.
After reading the article and watching the article presentation and reading the slides (available on Tuesday 16.3. 10 am), do a peer-review of the presentation (for those NOT participating in the presentation team).
After the day's session, please take the quiz that builds on the lecture. The lecture material can be found here.
For further information, you may want to read the following articles:
- Shipilov and Gawer (2020) "Integrating research on interorganizational networks and ecosystems"
- Van Alstyne et al (2016) "Pipelines, platforms, and the new rules of strategy"
WEDNESDAY 24.3: Ecosystem design workshop 09:00 - 12:00
Prepare for the workshop by reading the ecosystem design toolkit handbook, and take the quiz before the workshop.
The workshop is organised as groupwork. Please assign your self into a group here, and also consider on which ecosystem you would like to focus on. You can make the final decision at the workshop, but please be prepared to voice your opinion. Material for the session is here.
Learning diary on service ecosystems: Write a short reflective online learning diary on service ecosystems. What were the key learning topics of the module, and how would you reflect your learning? In particular, how do you feel the toolkit contributes to ecosystem design?