Exploring nestedness in ecosystems: towards a taxonomy for theory and practice

This dissertation explores how innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems can be conceptualized and connected through the lens of nestedness and complex systems theory. By integrating theoretical reflection and empirical investigation, it develops a taxonomy that bridges fragmented perspectives and supports the design of adaptive, interconnected systems of innovation. The first paper introduces the concept of Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (IIEs) and presents a validated partner selection tool co-created with practitioners from FS Group through a design research approach. The tool operationalizes five key dimensions-partners’ maturity, collaboration readiness, value co-creation, intellectual property management, and international network-enabling evidence-based partner assessment across national and institutional boundaries. The second paper advances a scoping review of 48 studies to conceptualize the nestedness between Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EEs) and Innovation Ecosystems (IEs). It identifies four archetypes—startup ecosystems, entrepreneurial university ecosystems, entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems, and regional innovation ecosystems—and interprets their interactions through systemic properties. The third paper provides an empirical assessment of how participation in the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) network influences the evolution of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Based on a longitudinal analysis of European regions, the findings demonstrate that participation in global STP networks significantly reinforces the intermediary and knowledge functions of regional ecosystems, with particularly strong effects observed in low-income and peripheral areas where global connectivity acts as a catalyst for innovation diffusion. The thesis contributes to the theoretical integration of ecosystem research and provides actionable insights for policymakers, firms, and orchestrators. As an industrial PhD, it also demonstrates the value of aligning theoretical and practical research to generate real societal and organizational impact.