Innovation Ecosystems in Universities: A Systematic Literature Review on the Role of Technology and Strategic Alignment

Abstract

In the era of digital disruption and rapid global change, universities are increasingly expected to transform into key actors within innovation ecosystems not only as providers of education, but also as hubs for knowledge creation and cross-sectoral collaboration. This study aims to synthesize current findings through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, based on an analysis of 33 Scopus-indexed articles published between 2020 and 2024. The review seeks to address three central research questions: (1) What are the core components of innovation ecosystems in higher education? (2) How does technology support the formation and development of these ecosystems? (3) To what extent does strategic institutional alignment influence the success of innovation? The findings reveal that the main components of innovation ecosystems include digital technologies and AI, institutional strategies, external stakeholders, collaborative digital platforms, global innovation networks, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Technology plays a critical role as a transformation enabler, while institutional strategic alignment emerges as a key determinant of sustained innovation success. This study offers a robust conceptual framework for guiding policy development and advancing innovative practices in the higher education sector.