Thesis

The development of value propositions in innovation ecosystems with the Regional Value Proposition Canvas (Strategic Management/Marketing Management)

Innovation increasingly takes place in the interaction of heterogeneous actors. A deeper understanding of these so-called innovation ecosystems is, therefore, essential to understanding the successful adaptation of innovations (Adner & Kapoor, 2016).
A starting point for ecosystem analysis is to consider the ecosystem value proposition. The ecosystem value proposition defines the set of values that ecosystem actors collectively want to create. From this knowledge, the ecosystem's structure can be derived (Adner, 2017).
Despite this fundamental function, little knowledge exists about how the value proposition is formed within an ecosystem. Therefore, this study focuses on the emergence process of value propositions in innovation ecosystems.
The emergence process will be investigated by conducting an empirical study of diverse ecosystems that belong to the BMBF program "Wandel durch Innovation in der Region" (WIR!). For the data analysis, the Regional Value Proposition Canvas developed at the TIM Institute is available, which will be evaluated in the context of this work by applying it to several case studies. The jobs-to-be-done theory is the foundation of the canvas.

With the completion of this thesis, the student should not only demonstrate the ability to work on a problem independently according to scientific methods but also build up a sound understanding of the management of innovation ecosystems.

The candidate should have the following skills:
- Affinity for strategy management and especially ecosystem theory.
- We are currently accompanying 43 ecosystems with data in German. If the applicant wants to write his/her thesis on these ecosystems, the applicant should have equivalent German language skills of >= B2. But this is not a must.

What we offer:
- Intensive collaboration in current BMBF projects, such as "Change through Innovation in the Region (WIR!)".
- You will be part of the team, you will have a workplace at the institute, and you will be invited to our project meetings and team events.
- Interviews, meetings with politicians, meetings with alliances
- You will investigate interesting research topics in future industries - it's not for nothing that innovation fields are more highly funded than ever before
- Room for your own ideas and interests - both methodologically and in terms of content
- For your further career, you can make contacts in politics and the private sector through your practical work, or recommend yourself for a doctorate with us

If you are enthusiastic about the topic, please send your CV, a short cover letter and a recent grade summary to grimm@time.rwth-aachen.de.

Keywords: Innovation, management, ecosystem, value proposition, technology