Abstract

This study examines orchestration roles in a networked innovation context characterized by significant transformation. In particular, an exploratory case study approach is taken to study the roles of innovation network orchestrators and their actions to facilitate networked activities in different phases of the innovation process. The context of the case study, a healthcare ecosystem that aims to co-create technological innovations to support the pediatric surgery journey, provides valuable insights about orchestration and adds knowledge on specific limitations set by the orchestrator-specific and context-related issues in a professional context. The findings of this study highlight the need for careful coordination that allows shared understanding of the goals of the orchestration process and achievable innovation implementations. It is shown that parallel, evolving, and even changing orchestrator roles are needed in complex networked innovation settings.