Katariina Palomäki, Maarit Halttunen, Maaria Nuutinen & Katri Valkokari
Ecosystems have been acknowledged as places that bring together different kinds of actors and join their resources to develop new approaches and solutions. Whereas networks are based on direct business relationships, effective governance and co-operation, ecosystems have both direct and indirect relationships, weaker tights between actors, and also competition in them, all stressing the importance of self-adjustment and organization, adaptation and commitment. There are big hopes for ecosystems as a breeding ground for new business innovations and solutions that help to tackle global challenges. New kinds of collaboration with actors not necessarily familiar to each other – from different industries even – may challenge old ways of doing things, even established industrial structures.