Model of the innovative ecosystem of advanced lightweight materials in the context of Ukraine’s European integration

Abstract

Based on the analysis of the ecosystem approach, the development of theoretical and methodological approaches to innovation ecosystems, the main problems of creating and developing European innovation ecosystems, key ways and approaches to overcoming the challenges of creating and developing European innovation ecosystems. European policy and initiatives on lightweight materials, and key problems in the field of lightweight materials in Ukraine, a model of an innovative ecosystem of advanced lightweight materials in the context of Ukraine's European integration is proposed. Structurally, the model includes the “Quadruple Helix” environments of the innovative ecosystem of lightweight materials of Ukraine and the “Quadruple Helix” environments of the innovative ecosystem of lightweight materials of Europe. Each environment has spaces of intersection, which creates common environments of interaction, ensuring the European integration of the national innovative ecosystem of lightweight materials of Ukraine into the innovative ecosystem of lightweight materials of Europe. Common environments combine financial, material and intellectual resources of participants and stakeholders for the implementation of technology chains and added value within the framework of joint innovation and investment projects. A feature of the structural arrangement of the proposed model is the allocation of three business environments, one of which had combined with civil society, and the definition of a fourth environment of state institutions combined with scientific institutions/universities. Within the framework of the proposed model, each environment had aimed at uniting state institutions, business, science and civil society of Europe and Ukraine. The model provides systemic technological, economic, environmental, social and institutional optimization of resources. The activities of the participants of the innovation ecosystem contribute to the development of infrastructure for the creation and implementation of advanced lightweight materials, knowledge transfer and transformation of knowledge into the production of high-tech innovative products of key sectors of the economy of Europe and Ukraine and integration into global chains with high added value. The proposed model provides conceptual flexibility in involving different participants and stakeholders using the results of market research that identifies participants and stakeholders in the light materials sectors of minerals and key domains of light materials in the production of high-tech products in key sectors of the economy. And government agencies and scientific organizations/universities contribute to the transformation of rigid linear chains of technologies and added value into flexible networks of cooperation within the framework of an innovation ecosystem that are more competitive and sustainable in today's dynamic market conditions.