Ecosystem-as-structure and ecosystem-as-coevolution: A constructive examination

Abstract As a response to the call for cumulative knowledge in ecosystem research, this paper focuses on ecosystem literature from the perspective of a focal firm. Through an in-depth analysis of modern and classic ecosystem conceptual works, this paper clarifies the theoretical underpinnings of the structure view and the coevolution view of ecosystems. Whereas according to the structure view an ecosystem features a modular structure of multilateral interdependences, coevolutionists envisage it as a community of affiliated and interacting actors which keeps open exchange with environments. To deal with this tension, instead of proposing an integrative or overarching ecosystem definition, this research offers an integrative framework which can accommodate the merits of both views. We do so by suggesting that 1) the coevolution view helps understand where value proposition and complementarities come from and how they come about; 2) the structure view infuses granularity into the coevolution view to specify the ecosystem affiliation as a premise on which coevolution can be orchestrated; 3) affiliation plays the role as a linking concept between the two views, allowing for the focal firm's continuous innovation to be explained.