Spatial health and life sciences business ecosystem: a case study of San Diego
Abstract
Purpose
Increasing competition in global markets requires many countries to seek new growth sectors. In addition, the nature of competition is changing. This paper applies the business ecosystem concept and studies San Diego as a spatial health and life sciences ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to identify issues that should be considered in design of innovation policies and regional industry development.
Design/methodology/approach
The research approach is built on a literature review of business ecosystems and spatial innovation. The empirical study is based on semi-structured interviews, observations, and information gathering and verification during field research.
Findings
The results include a description of the ecosystem structure and dynamics. This paper demonstrates the bottom-up nature of San Diego’s health and life sciences ecosystem without a dominant lead actor, and presents prerequisites for fostering spatial ecosystems.
Research limitations/implications
A single case may not be able to offer a generalized picture of this topic. However, the study raises several considerations for researchers and decision-makers involved in innovation policy design. Future work should extend the study and involve other spatial and substance contexts to compare findings and to pursue a more generic picture of innovation ecosystems and networks.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates that applying the concept of business ecosystems to the spatial context provides new insights in terms of dynamic mechanisms and factors contributing to economic growth in a particular location. Understanding how to facilitate the creation of successful spatial ecosystems is in the focal point of innovation policies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (TEKES) for supporting Business Ecosystems and Platforms for Innovations (BECSI) project. The authors would also like to thank UCSD Rady School of Management and the following individuals: Ruprecht von Buttlar, Peter Farrell, Stephen Flaim, William Decker, Jack DeFranco, John Dobak, Greg Horowitt, Andrea Jackson, Martin Kenney, Klaus Ley, Greg Lucier, Jennifer Landress, Rob McCray, Gioia Messinger, Diego Miralles, Nathan Owens, Lada Rasochova, Jack Savidge, Tim Scott, Kristiina Vuori, and Mary Walshok.
Citation
Majava, J., Leviäkangas, P., Kinnunen, T., Kess, P. and Foit, D. (2016), "Spatial health and life sciences business ecosystem: a case study of San Diego", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 26-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-01-2015-0003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited