Do-It-yourself laboratories as integration-based ecosystems✰

We develop theory on integration-based business ecosystems. Based on the phenomenon of do-it-yourself laboratories (DIY labs), we argue that prior theory of ecosystems have not adequately considered the possibility that participants in ecosystems may play multiple, as opposed to discrete, roles. The paper suggests that actor roles in ecosystems develop in an integrated way over time. We theorize on the implications of this integrated actor perspective for the dynamics of ecosystems. In substantiating our arguments, we draw on three vignettes of DIY labs in the craft beer industry and reflect on why these DIY labs emerged. This development depends principally on whether DIY labs choose to adopt a “logic” of value creation, value appropriation, or both. The possibility of participants’ multiple roles bears important implications for the nature and effects of ecosystems dynamics and for incumbents. These views are developed in four researchable Propositions of integration-based ecosystems in DIY labs. The paper concludes with implications of the dynamics of integration-based ecosystems for science, technology, and innovation (STI) research and policy on DIY labs.