Types of ecosystem and strategies - part 1

In this lesson

1. 0:00 Ecosystem types and strategic frameworks
2. 1:05 Complexity and orchestration dimensions explained
3. 2:44 Hornet's nest ecosystem characteristics
4. 4:00 Lion's pride ecosystem characteristics
5. 4:54 Shark tank ecosystem characteristics
6. 5:59 Wolf pack ecosystem characteristics
7. 6:35 Implications of complexity and orchestration

About this lesson

We explore two key dimensions—complexity and orchestration—that determine ecosystem behaviour, then introduce four archetypes: the hornet's nest (high complexity, loose orchestration), the lion's pride (high complexity, tight orchestration), the shark tank (low complexity, loose orchestration), and the wolf pack (low complexity, tight orchestration). Understanding these distinctions helps you recognise barriers to entry, competitive positioning, and how influence flows through different ecosystem structures. We break down what each dimension means in practice. High complexity creates barriers to entry because relationships and capabilities are hard to replicate; low complexity means participants are vulnerable to new entrants. Tight orchestration means certain players can influence many others across the system—think regulators imposing rules—while loose orchestration gives participants independence to operate on their own terms. By the end of this session, you'll be able to classify real business ecosystems and understand the strategic implications of each type, then move forward to explore the specific strategies that work best within each archetype.

Duration: 8m