Enterprise Cross-Boundary Service Innovation Based on Digital Ecosystems: An Action Research
RAN Jia-sen1, XIAO Jing-hua2
1.School of Management, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou Guangdong 510006, China 2.School of Business, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Guangdong 510275, China
Abstract:The application of digital technology has reduced the cost for enterprises to acquire external resources and propelled the construction of digital ecosystems and service innovation. Based on the digital affordance theory and actor-network theory, this paper conducts a two-phase action research on Company J, an integrated automobile service provider, to explore the process mechanism through which enterprises achieve cross-boundary service innovation via digital ecosystems. In the first phase, the establishment of a digital ecosystem is achieved by leveraging the affordances of cross-platform data sharing and the action network between humans and digital platforms, thereby forming the foundational basis for cross-boundary services innovation. In the second phase, the empowerment of digital services is realized through the affordances of cross-platform resource integration and the action network between humans and artificial intelligence (AI), leading to the innovative applications of cross-boundary services. The findings from the action research reveal that the process framework of the action research has become an effective tool for guiding enterprise practices and can promote communication between researchers and practitioners. At the same time, it can deepen the understanding of theories, ensuring that research results can not only guide practices but also advance theoretical development. In practice, enterprises should attach importance to the crucial role of digital platforms in data integration, recognize that building a digital ecosystem to achieve cross-sector innovation is a dynamic process, and pay attention to the new models it provides for enterprise collaboration and competition.
冉佳森, 肖静华. 基于数字生态系统的企业跨界服务创新:一项行动研究[J]. 北京交通大学学报(社会科学版), 2025, 24(1): 75-85.
RAN Jia-sen, XIAO Jing-hua. Enterprise Cross-Boundary Service Innovation Based on Digital Ecosystems: An Action Research. journal6, 2025, 24(1): 75-85.
1 李玥,邓倩玉,赵天一,等.创新服务组织赋能视角下企业边界管理能力提升路径研究[J/OL].南开管理评论,1-19[2023-12-29].http://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/12.1288.F.20231227.1633.003.html. 2 宋华,于亢亢,陈金亮.不同情境下的服务供应链运作模式——资源和环境共同驱动的B2B多案例研究[J].管理世界,2013,(2):156-168. 3 李东红,周平录,杨震宁,等.领导者企业如何与参与者企业协同实现价值共创?——基于小米生态链的案例研究[J].管理世界,2025,41(1):151-168. 4 焦豪,张睿,杨季枫.数字经济情境下企业战略选择与数字平台生态系统构建——基于共演视角的案例研究[J].管理世界,2023,39(12):201-229. 5 戚聿东,肖旭.数字经济时代的企业管理变革[J].管理世界,2020,36(6):135-152+250. 6 刘祎,王玮,苏芳.工业大数据背景下企业实现构建数字生态系统的案例研究[J].管理学刊,2020,33(1):60-69. 7 曾德麟,蔡家玮,欧阳桃花.构建数字生态系统研究:整合框架与未来展望[J].外国经济与管理,2021,43(5):63-76. 8 肖静华, 谢康, 吴瑶, 等. 企业与消费者协同演化动态能力构建: B2C 电商梦芭莎案例研究[J]. 管理世界, 2014,(8): 134-151. 9 LI H, YANG Z, JIN C, et al. How an industrial internet platform empowers the digital transformation of SMEs: theoretical mechanism and business model[J]. Journal of Knowledge Management, 2023, 27(1): 105-120. 10 肖静华.企业跨体系构建数字生态系统与管理适应性变革[J].改革,2020,(4):37-49. 11 王鹏程,刘善仕,刘念.组织模块化能否提高制造企业服务创新绩效?——基于组织信息处理理论的视角[J].管理评论,2021,33(11):157-169. 12 罗兴武,孙萌,刘洋,等.数字拟人品:数字技术、拟社会互动与商业模式内容创新的共演[J].管理世界,2024,40(8):24-41+144+42. 13 李东红,陈昱蓉,周平录.破解颠覆性技术创新的跨界网络治理路径——基于百度Apollo自动驾驶开放平台的案例研究[J].管理世界,2021,37(4):130-159. 14 YOO Y, BOLAND JR R J, LYYTINEN K, et al. Organizing for innovation in the digitized world. Organization science, 2012, 23(5): 1398-1408. 15 刘洋,董久钰,魏江.数字创新管理:理论框架与未来研究[J].管理世界,2020,36(7):198-217+219. 16 YUAN B. Understanding digital information production in virtual communities from the perspective of Actor-Network Theory[J]. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 2023, 56: 495-502. 17 NAMBISAN S, WRIGHT M, FELDMAN M. The digital transformation of innovation and entrepreneurship: Progress, challenges and key themes[J]. Research policy, 2019, 48(8). 18 程聪,陈锋,杨泽,等.数字技术的逆向塑造:论数字技术的张力[J].科学学研究,2023,41(2):202-211. 19 余江,范乃斯,韩进.“功能”还是“社会”?数字可供性概念、知识框架及未来展望[J/OL].科学学与科学技术管理,1-26,2024.http://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/12.1117.g3.20240424.1705.002.html. 20 SEIDEL S, RECKER J, VOM BROCKE J. Sensemaking and sustainable practicing: Functional affordances of information systems in green transformations[J]. MIS quarterly, 2013: 1275-1299. 21 LATOUR B. Reassembling the social: An introduction to actor-network-theory[M]. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. 22 MARCON NORA G A, ALBERTON A, AYALA D H F. Stakeholder theory and actor‐network theory: The stakeholder engagement in energy transitions[J]. Business Strategy and the Environment, 2023, 32(1): 673-685. 23 肖静华,谢康,冉佳森.缺乏IT认知情境下企业如何进行IT规划——通过嵌入式行动研究实现战略匹配的过程和方法[J].管理世界,2013,(6):138-152+188. 24 张延林,冉佳森,肖静华,等.综合型IT与业务战略匹配的行动研究[J].管理学报,2013,10(11):1702-1709. 25 李兴旺,张敬伟,李志刚,等.行动研究:我国管理学理论研究面向实践转型的可选路径[J].南开管理评论,2021,24(1):181-191+201+232-233. 26 SUSMAN G I, EVERED R D. An assessment of the scientific merits of action research[J]. Administrative science quarterly, 1978: 582-603. 27 PASMORE W, FRIEDLANDER F. An action-research program for increasing employee involvement in problem solving[J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1982: 343-362. 28 BASKERVILLE R, MYERS M D. Special issue on action research in information systems: Making IS research relevant to practice: Foreword[J]. MIS quarterly, 2004: 329-335. 29 DAVISON R M, MARTINSONS M G, OU C X J. The roles of theory in canonical action research[J]. MIS Quarterly, 2012: 763-786. 30 孙秀霞,孙谋轩,朱方伟,等.团队互动行为与项目角色认同:一项行动研究[J].南开管理评论,2021,24(2):171-185. 31 M?RTENSSON P, LEE A S. Dialogical action research at omega corporation[J]. MIS Quarterly, 2004: 507-536. 32 WONG L H M, DAVISON R M. Knowledge sharing in a global logistics provider: An action research project[J]. Information & Management, 2018, 55(5): 547-557.