The Dilemma Between Fast Delivery and Deep Learning in Ecosystem Exploration Projects: The Role of Project Granularity

Ecosystem exploration projects, in other words, exploration projects in emerging ecosystems, are vulnerable due to their long-term orientation and multiple uncertainties. These projects face a dilemma: Should the firm prioritize fast delivery of tangible results to maintain stakeholder commitment or deep learning about the exploration domain? Decomposing projects into large modules allocated to stakeholders accelerates delivery and minimizes coordination costs but prevents the focal firm’s learning. Conversely, smaller modules enable that learning but slow down the delivery of tangible outcomes and increase costs. Through an empirical case study, we characterize this dilemma and propose project granularity as a key variable to address it.