The Process of Ecosystem Emergence for an Enabling Technology: The 5G Case

Authors

  • Mattia Magnaghi Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0634-4850
  • Antonio Ghezzi Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2084-4521
  • Massimiliano Luigi Vittorio Dell'Orto Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3047-3588
  • Federico De Laurentiis Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0039-9699
  • Andrea Rangone Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ecie.19.1.2618

Keywords:

5G technology, Enabling technology, Ecosystem emergence, Orchestrator

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how the process of ecosystem emergence occurs with the advent of 5G technology, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the enterprise market. For this purpose, an exploratory and qualitative multiple-case study was conducted, involving key players in the Italian 5G industry. The research analyses the roles and interactions necessary for creating a 5G ecosystem, emphasising the importance of cooperation among numerous stakeholders due to the complexity and specificity of 5G applications. The results indicate that 5G can be defined as an Enabling Technology (ET), However, it is still lacking the pervasiveness in terms of wide applicability associated with General-Purpose Technologies (GPTs). The successful development of a 5G ecosystem requires dual co-orchestrators: MNOs and intermediaries. MNOs alone are unable to properly manage the ecosystem due to the diverse and specific nature of 5G applications. Intermediaries by their side, provide essential technical and business expertise, supporting MNOs in creating value across various sectors. The study provides insights into the evolution of business models for companies leveraging 5G technology. It emphasises the need for strategic collaboration among stakeholders to maximise the potential of 5G, offering guidance for businesses on how to adapt and thrive in this emerging ecosystem. The originality of this study lies in its integration of two literature streams, the ecosystem one and the enabling technologies one. This research contributes to both literature streams by highlighting the co-orchestration model necessary for 5G. It underscores the challenges and characteristics of orchestrating an ecosystem driven by enabling technology, offering valuable perspectives for both academia and industry practitioners.

Author Biographies

Mattia Magnaghi, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy

I am a Ph.D. Candidate in strategy and innovation at the School of Management of Politecnico di Milano. I also work as a researcher Analyst at Osservatori Digital Innovation. My research aims to investigate how firms innovate their business models leveraging enabling technologies for remaining competitive in a fast-changing environment.

 

Antonio Ghezzi, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy

Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, and Head of the “Hi-tech Startups” and “Space Economy” applied research centers at the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering – Politecnico di Milano. His main research fields are Digital Strategy and Digital Entrepreneurship, with a focus on incumbents' and startups' business model design, innovation and validation, and the role of Lean Startup Approaches for experimentation. He is author of more than two hundred scientific journal articles (appearing in outlets such as Technological Forecasting and Social Change, International Journal of Management Reviews, Journal of Business Research, International Journal of Production Economics, R&D Management and Research-Technology Management), books, book chapters and conference proceedings.

Massimiliano Luigi Vittorio Dell'Orto, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy

I am a Junior Research Analyst at Osservatori Digital Innovation, precisely I work at the Extended Reality and Metaverse Observatory. I graduated in December 2023 in Management Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. My areas of interest concern Business Management, Technology and Neuroscience

 

Federico De Laurentiis, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy

I am working in the R&D and System engineering department at Prysmian as part of a Graduate program. I graduated in December 2023 in Management Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. My areas of interest concern Business Management, Automotive Industry and Production Engineering

Andrea Rangone, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Via Lambruschini 4B, 20156 Milan, Italy

Full Professor of Entrepreneurship and Digital Business Innovation at Politecnico di Milano. He is the Co-founder of the Digital Innovation Observatory, a leading research center on business impact of digital technologies at Politecnico di Milano, and several digital startups; he is also co-founded, President and past CEO of Digital360, a demand generation, advisory and coaching company concerning digital business. His main research areas include digital transformation and the telco industry. He authored more than 100 national and international publications published in leading international journals such as Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Small Business Economics, Journal of Product and Innovation Management, and International Journal of Operations and Production Management.

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Published

2024-09-20