Mutual development: collaborative networks, innovation ecosystems and ecological effect

Purpose Given today’s increasingly competitive innovation environment, constructing or joining innovation ecosystems has become a vital strategy for firms seeking a competitive edge. However, the link between collaborative networks in innovation ecosystems and the innovation ecological effect remains unclear. This study aims to investigate this relationship and explore the roles of value cocreation and network lock-in. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on social network theory (SNT) and the innovation ecosystem perspective, this empirical study evaluates survey data from electronic information firms located in China’s Yangtze River Delta. A moderated mediation model is developed to examine the underlying mechanisms and contextual conditions in the relationship between collaborative networks in innovation ecosystems and the innovation ecological effect. Findings This study finds that (1) collaborative networks in innovation ecosystems are positively correlated with the innovation ecological effect. (2) Value cocreation mediates the relationship between collaborative networks in innovation ecosystems and the innovation ecological effect. (3) Relational and cognitive lock-in negatively moderate this mediating relationship. Originality/value By highlighting the ecological advantages of multifaceted collaborative networks, this study not only extends the application of SNT in innovation ecosystem research but also enriches the network literature by revealing the potential downsides of networks in innovation ecosystems, especially when firms excessively embed in networks.