Toward More Inclusive Networks and Initiatives in Innovation Ecosystems: Protocol for a Systematic Review (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Expanding the cooperation and enlarging the participation of more diverse stakeholders within innovation ecosystems will increase their efficiency and capacity to contribute at local, regional, and national level. OBJECTIVE In this systematic review we aim to identify “opening-up” strategies of innovation ecosystems for increasing the participation of more diverse innovation stakeholders, particularly from low-innovation countries, during the ecosystem formation period. METHODS An algorithmic searching in three databases [Web of Science; Cochrane library; Scopus] will be applied based on the PerSPecTIF methodology, the Cochrane guidelines for Qualitative Evidence Synthesis, and the PRISMA guidelines. Selection criteria for eligibility include peer-reviewed articles published after 31/12/1999 and containing original data. No restrictions will be placed on article language as well as study region, design, and methodology. Methodological strengths and limitations will be assessed using the CASP tool. The thematic synthesis method will be adopted to synthesize data and information. The GRADE-CERQual tool will be used to assess confidence in the qualitative synthesized findings. RESULTS A preliminary search in Web of Science revealed 1301 records. This work is part of the ANGIE project, which is funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 952152. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic review, we aim to uncover the strategies of previous and existing ecosystems for becoming inclusive, fostering the participation of stakeholders at all levels of innovation capacity and taking into consideration gender equality and diversity. CLINICALTRIAL The protocol is registered in the Open Science Foundation (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/AY637).