Elgar Research Handbook on Digital Strategy

The authors develop a typology of ecosystems based on insights from graph theory. The authors suggest that there are three archetypes of ecosystems: centralized, adaptive and decentralized. The authors suggest a tool called an “Ecosystem Canvas” that helps elucidate differences in these ecosystem configurations and business models. The authors conclude with insights for how ecosystem canvas can be used to both describe existing ecosystems and strategize about future ecosystems.