Introducing DOTE: A Development-Orientated Typology of (Enterprise) Ecosystems

This paper makes a contribution to the literature on the development of ecosystems. The orientation of this paper is developmental rather than descriptive, as it is the researcher’s contention that (i) many ecosystems can benefit from external support; (ii) support for the development of ecosystems needs to be adapted according to their type and (iii) existing typologies of ecosystems are insufficiently elaborated for those involved in facilitating the development of ecosystems to plan their interventions. The DOTE Model (Development-Orientated Typology of Ecosystems) introduces a typology with nine types of ecosystems that provide one of the following: (i) Capable Entrepreneurs, (ii) Innovation Leadership, (iii) Asset Exploitation, (iv) Value- Chain Re-Engineering, (v) World-Class Parity, (vi) Capability to Capture Future Opportunities, (vii) Profitable Upscaling, (viii) Networking Advantage and (ix) Benefits for People and Planet.