With or without you: a tool for partner selection for innovation ecosystems in national and international settings

Purpose This paper introduces a novel tool designed to assess potential partnerships between innovation ecosystems (IEs) in both national and international settings. The research responds to the growing need for both theoretical and practical frameworks to foster the creation of interconnected innovation ecosystems (IIEs). Design/methodology/approach Combining a literature and practice review with a design research approach, the tool was developed in collaboration with a pool of practitioners from FS Group (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane). It was subsequently tested by two researchers working for two different companies that are part of the ROAD (Rome Advanced District) IE, assessing a total of 75 IEs across 10 different countries. Findings The study identifies, operationalizes and discusses five key principles for IEs: partners' maturity, collaboration readiness, value co-creation, Intellectual Property (IP) management and international network. Research limitations/implications While the literature review may not have captured all relevant contributions, it was intentionally guided by the aim of connecting theoretical insights with practical application. Practical implications The paper provides a solid pre-assessment tool for decision-makers to establish partnerships at the ecosystem level. The tool enables ecosystem-level matchmaking, supporting collaborations across diverse organizations such as start-ups, large firms and universities, while also fostering ongoing monitoring and governance. Originality/value The paper introduces the concept of IIEs and offers an integrated perspective that transcends traditional geographic boundaries. It employs an innovative methodology to bridge academic insights with practitioner knowledge to create a theoretically grounded yet highly operational tool for IEs, fostering strong alignment between research and real-world application in partner selection.