The emergence of ecosystems in healthcare research - a literature review

The concept of ecosystems has gained significant attention in managerial studies, with various types of ecosystems being conceptualized and applied to different sectors. However, the applicability and relevance of the ecosystem construct in the healthcare sector remain fragmented and unclear. This article provides an overview of the literature on ecosystems in healthcare and points out areas requiring further theoretical and empirical investigation. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) with the purpose of: (i) providing a summary of the current state of research; (ii) categorizing, reviewing, and synthesizing research; and (iii) offering new directions for future research. It is expected that such results may help to support the development of managerial research within the application of the ecosystem concept to healthcare as well as to facilitate future applications.