Relational network of innovation ecosystems generated by digital innovation hubs: a conceptual framework for the interaction processes of DIHs from the perspective of collaboration within and between their relationship levels

Collaboration plays a key role in the success attained to date by networks of innovation ecosystems generated around entities known as Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), recently created following European Commission initiatives to boost the digitisation of the European economic fabric. This article proposes a conceptual framework that brings together, defines, structures and relates the concepts involved in the collaborative interaction processes within and between these innovation ecosystems to allow comprehensive conceptualisation. The developed framework also provides an approach that helps to tangibilise collaboration as a management process. Here the goal is to ultimately move towards not only qualitative, but also quantitative modelling to bridge the research gap in the state of the art in this respect. The data-driven business-ecosystem-skills-technology (D-BEST) model, devised to configure DIHs service portfolios in a collaborative context, provides the reference basis for the interorganisational asset transfer methodology (IOATM). This is the keystone that structures the framework and constitutes its main contribution. Through the IOATM, this conceptual framework points out collaboration quantification, and serves as a lever for its modelling to deal with collaboration accounting by: turning it into a more controllable management element; guiding practitioners' efforts to improve collaborative processes efficiency with an approach that pursues objectivity and maximises synergies.