Table 2.

Environmental layers view – a research guide.

Layers	Structure, content and types	Phases and processes	Key conditioners	Guiding research questions
SET System	•Number of major technological systems •Degree of institutionalization and core orientations – control vs. freedom •Core aspects of business and consumption culture	•Key processes driving and describing evolution: technology, institutionalization and culture, business evolution •Phase/stage of SET system •Pace of SET system transformation: transient vs. stable	•Stage of dominant technological trajectory: established vs. emergent •Societal/cultural aspects: closed vs. open, stagnant vs. vibrant •Institutional aspects: controlling vs. encouraging	•WHAT kind of major SET systems can be identified in terms of their structural characteristics and content? •WHAT are the key processes in the formation and transformation of these systems? •WHY do different SET systems exist? •WHAT are the key drivers and conditioning factors?
Business Field	•Number, types and connectivity of underlying ecosystems •Core structure: vertical vs. horizontal, mixed •Field specific institutionalization •Core technologies and their pace of change •Major sources of competition – technology vs. end customer demand	•Key processes driving and describing business field formation and transformation: technology, competition (resources, solutions, markets and combinations), institutionalization	•Stagnant vs. vibrant economy •Institutional system: control vs. flexibility; property rights •Technological orientations: mature vs. flexible technologies, degree of digitalization •Business culture: stagnant vs. innovative •Consumption culture: safety vs. novelty seeking	•WHAT kind of major business fields can be identified in terms of their structural characteristics and content? •WHAT are the key processes in the formation and transformation of these fields? •WHY do different fields exist? •WHAT are the key drivers and conditioning factors? From top-down, bottom-up or laterally?
Focal ecosystem and strategic network	•Actor constellation(s) and strategic networks – innovation systems, demand-supply systems, service platforms, technological platforms •Value-systems - goals •Governance solutions and culture •Actor roles	•Key processes driving and describing focal ecosystem/ strategic networks evolution: technological innovation, business and governance innovation, competition (on resources, solutions, markets and key customers)	•Entrepreneurial culture: scarce vs. vibrant •Availability of resources and actors •Availability of venture capital and investors •Collaborative vs. competitive business orientation •Variety of types of collaborators	•WHAT kind of major focal ecosystems can be identified in terms of their structural characteristics, governance modes, goals and culture? •WHAT are the key processes in the formation and transformation of these systems? •WHY do different focal ecosystems exist? •WHAT are the key drivers & conditioning factors? From top-down, bottom-up or laterally?
Actor	•Ecosystem and network roles and positions •Goals, intentions, beliefs and experiences •Resources and capabilities	•Processes driving and describing actor's position, role and influence in strategic network(s) and focal ecosystem(s): technological and business innovation, strategic intent	•Relative number of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial firms •Availability of resources, including risk capital •Collaborative experience •Variety of business models	•WHAT kind of actors initiate and orchestrate focal ecosystems and strategic networks? •WHAT kind of key processes are involved? •WHY do actors differ in their ecosystem behaviors and activity? •WHAT are the key drivers and conditioning factors? From top-down and laterally?