Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • Summer 2020
  • Article
  • MIT Sloan Management Review

Accelerating Innovation Through a Network of Ecosystems: What Companies Can Learn from One of the World's Largest Networks of Accelerator Labs

By: Elizabeth J. Altman and Frank Nagle
  • Format:Print
ShareBar

Abstract

A United Nations agency with a sweeping mission and sprawling global presence may not appear to be the most likely place where companies can learn new techniques for accelerating innovation — but appearances can be deceiving. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focuses on solving the world’s most complex problems through a distributed network of local ecosystems. In our exploratory research, we find that this organization is making exceptionally progressive innovation moves both at its headquarters and in the field by building and sustaining one of the world’s largest networks of accelerator labs — 60 of them, serving 78 countries. We discuss how companies can learn from their efforts, and highlight examples of companies already embracing the “network of ecosystems” style of innovation.

Keywords

Accelerator Labs; Business Ecosystems; Networks; Innovation and Invention

Citation

Altman, Elizabeth J., and Frank Nagle. "Accelerating Innovation Through a Network of Ecosystems: What Companies Can Learn from One of the World's Largest Networks of Accelerator Labs." MIT Sloan Management Review 61, no. 4 (Summer 2020).
  • Find it at Harvard
  • Purchase

About The Author

Frank Nagle

Strategy
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • October 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Note on Cyberattacks and Regulatory Regimes

    By: Frank Nagle, George A. Riedel, William R. Kerr and David Lane
    • August 2022
    • Faculty Research

    The Wallet Wars: MetaMask

    By: Frank Nagle and Abhinav Sah
    • June 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Strategic Innovation at the United Nations: A Network of Ecosystems

    By: Frank Nagle, Elizabeth J. Altman and Amy Klopfenstein
More from the Authors
  • Note on Cyberattacks and Regulatory Regimes By: Frank Nagle, George A. Riedel, William R. Kerr and David Lane
  • The Wallet Wars: MetaMask By: Frank Nagle and Abhinav Sah
  • Strategic Innovation at the United Nations: A Network of Ecosystems By: Frank Nagle, Elizabeth J. Altman and Amy Klopfenstein
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College