Paper Number
ICIS2025-1396
Paper Type
Complete
Abstract
The concept of the ecosystem, originating in ecology, has gained increasing traction in IS research over the past two decades. However, its rising popularity has raised critical concerns about whether the ecosystem functions merely as a metaphorical shorthand or as a rigorous concept when borrowed to IS scholarship. To address these concerns, this study revisits the concept’s ecological origins, identifying four core epistemological components (agents, environments, boundaries, and patterns) constituting its conceptual foundation. Using them as an organizing lens, this research integrates and critically assesses existing knowledge regarding how the four identified epistemological components of ecosystems are researched in the IS field. Based on the emerging issues and gaps, this research draw inspiration from Ecology and outlines a research agenda for future research. This work reorients IS research from viewing ecosystem as a metaphorical shorthand to employing it as a heuristic device.
Recommended Citation
Ma, Yao, "Ecosystem Beyond a Metaphor: A Critical Literature Review and Research Agenda" (2025). ICIS 2025 Proceedings. 3.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2025/diginnoventren/diginnoventren/3
Ecosystem Beyond a Metaphor: A Critical Literature Review and Research Agenda
The concept of the ecosystem, originating in ecology, has gained increasing traction in IS research over the past two decades. However, its rising popularity has raised critical concerns about whether the ecosystem functions merely as a metaphorical shorthand or as a rigorous concept when borrowed to IS scholarship. To address these concerns, this study revisits the concept’s ecological origins, identifying four core epistemological components (agents, environments, boundaries, and patterns) constituting its conceptual foundation. Using them as an organizing lens, this research integrates and critically assesses existing knowledge regarding how the four identified epistemological components of ecosystems are researched in the IS field. Based on the emerging issues and gaps, this research draw inspiration from Ecology and outlines a research agenda for future research. This work reorients IS research from viewing ecosystem as a metaphorical shorthand to employing it as a heuristic device.
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17-Innovation