Network strategy and management

: strategy in ecosystem

Abstract

In the current competitive and interconnected business environment, organizations increasingly operate within ecosystems, requiring strategic collaboration and network management to achieve sustainable success. This study investigates the impact of network strategies on ecosystem management outcomes, focusing on how organizations design and implement partnerships, alliances, and collaborative networks to improve innovation, resilience, and performance. The research adopted a quantitative approach, collecting data from 26 participants involved in ecosystem management across different organizational roles and sectors. The findings revealed that network strategies, particularly strategic alliances and innovation networks, play a crucial role in enhancing ecosystem outcomes. However, challenges such as communication barriers, limited resources, and regulatory issues were identified as common obstacles. Internal factors like leadership support and a collaborative organizational culture, alongside external factors like market dynamics and technological changes, were found to significantly influence the success of network strategies. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical insights into network strategy practices within Portuguese ecosystems and offers practical recommendations for organizations aiming to strengthen their network management capabilities.

Date of Award	23 Oct 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Luís Marques (Supervisor)