Interview – Ron Adner: managing the interdependencies and risks of an innovation ecosystem

Purpose – This paper aims to present an interview with Professor Ron Adner, author of The Wide Lens . Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents an interview with Professor Ron Adner, author of The Wide Lens to ask about his structured approach to uncovering the hidden sources of dependence in innovation ecosystems that undermine collaboration efforts. Adner describes how to use the tools he has developed to assess, map and analyse innovation ecosystems. Adner explains that when delivering value depends on the combined efforts of multiple innovation partners – both within and across firms – executing brilliantly does not prevent failure if the other partners stumble. Numerous case studies are reported and a new set of analysis tools is introduced. Findings – Adner reveals that success in new product/service ecosystems requires innovation partners that are both able and willing to participate in a novel solution. Originality/value – The paper notes that seeing innovation as ecosystem management produces many new insights about effective implementation.