Paper to be presented at the DRUID 2012 on June 19 to June 21 at CBS, Copenhagen, Denmark, Modeling the ecosystem: a meta-synthesis of ecosystem and related literatures Llewellyn D W Thomas Imperial College Business School l.thomas09@imperial.ac.uk Erkko Autio Imperial College London Innovation & Entrepreneurship Group e.autio@imperial.ac.uk Abstract The "ecosystem" metaphor has been gaining increasing currency in management research; however there is only limited recognition and integration of other similar management constructs and underlying theory. We conduct a systematic review of the ecosystem and related literature, defining an ecosystem as a network of interconnected organizations, organized around a focal firm or platform, which incorporates both production and use side participants. We suggest three interdependent characteristics that provide the boundaries of the ecosystem construct - value logic, participant symbiosis and institutional stability - and outline the interrelationships between them. Utilizing these characteristics, we propose the "ecosystem model" as a practitioner tool, analogous to the business model, which describes the rationale of how an ecosystem creates, delivers and captures value. We conclude by identifying emerging trends and areas for future research. Jelcodes:L00,-