Implementing a Service-Oriented Rural Smartness Platform: Lessons Learned from a Technical Action Research in West Java, Indonesia

This paper is an introduction to Business Ecosystems and its improvements as represented in Digital Business Ecosystem. In traditional non-digital economic ecosystems, the hubs, once established are static. It is difficult to create new hubs and as such these established hubs enjoy considerable power in the marketplace. Indeed, in many instances, these hubs become the main impediments for the growth of smaller nodes. In other instances, they try to misuse their powers by creating monopolies or oligopolies. In contrast, it is hoped that Digital Business Ecosystems, by virtue of their loosely-coupled and self-organizing properties, will help Small and Medium Enterprises to create a fully distributed network, sidestepping the above mentioned problems of dominance of the large hubs in the market. The authors try to provide a brief introduction to Business Ecosystems and focus on the reasons and advantages of such a move/transition towards Digital Business Ecosystems.

Improving the rural economic climate to narrow the rural-urban economic gap is necessary in order to address the problematic urbanization phenomenon in many developing countries. To this end, the participation of rural communities in the digital business ecosystem is being viewed as a promising approach. However, there are high barriers that hinder rural communities from participating in the digital business ecosystem. The barriers are mainly due to the low digital readiness of the rural communities, the limited government capability, and the limited third-party involvement. With an aim to lower these barriers, our paper proposes the architectural specification of a digital platform based on a service-oriented architecture, where the provisioning of digital business services for rural communities is realized through a collaboration between the government and third-party service providers. The proposed architecture has been instantiated by means of a prototype and validated by a panel of experts from the rural areas of West Java, Indonesia.

During the almost 27 years of its existence, the business ecosystem research has developed a substantial level of ambiguity and multifacetedness. Because to the technological advancements that promote interconnectedness and value co-creation, the field has consequently spun off into more domain-specific branches, such as the arena of digital business ecosystems that are driven by Internet of Things (IoT). Nonetheless, despite the efforts to mend the theoretical foundations and to close the gap between academia and empirical practice, the absolute majority of IoT-driven digital business ecosystem literature follows the trend of conceptual randomness while expanding the volume of publications exponentially. Therefore, in order to address this unfavourable increase in random adoption of distinct concepts that ultimately refer to the same subject matter, the author encourages other scholars involved in the research field of IoT-driven digital business ecosystems to make extended efforts and support the external validity of their research (as well as the relevance of the research stream as a whole) by bounding the IoT-driven digital business ecosystems on a rigorous basis through deploying the extant theory in a careful and appropriate manner. Via a thorough examination of the theoretical fundaments that underpin the concept of IoT-driven digital business ecosystem, and based on a concise thematic review of corresponding literature published until September 2020, this article articulates logic for viewing the conceptual hierarchy within the business ecosystem research and proposes six literature-based recommendations for developing further IoT-driven digital business ecosystem (DBE) research in a rigorous way.

This study examines the roles of collaboration and innovation in developing digital business ecosystems. It employs a narrative literature review of core scholarship on business ecosystems, digital platforms, and collaboration–innovation practices in both global and Indonesian contexts. The synthesis indicates that digital business ecosystems constitute multilateral interdependence structures that require alignment of roles and activities across actors to realize a shared value proposition. Collaboration therefore becomes a structural necessity, as ecosystem innovation is modular and complementary, and value emerges only when contributions from diverse parties are coherently integrated. Digital platforms accelerate ecosystem growth through generativity and network effects, yet they also demand collaborative governance to keep collective innovation coordinated and goal-oriented. Empirical evidence further shows that collaboration facilitated by platforms, hubs, or intermediaries speeds up the exchange of data, knowledge, and resources, triggering technological, service, governance, and business-model innovations that enhance ecosystem performance and sustainability. However, many ecosystems still face limitations in the depth of collaboration—often not progressing to co-production or joint R&D—resulting in suboptimal collective innovation. This study enriches digital ecosystem theory and offers practical implications for orchestrating collaboration and sustaining innovation in digital business ecosystems.

Today, one of the main directions of the maritime sector and especially of port development is the adoption and implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in various areas of port activities such as port business, management and planning, commercial and supporting services, contact with clients, navigation, etc. Furthermore, great efforts are made in order to integrate applications and provide value-added services using e-business approaches. This direction creates a new economic environment, a digital maritime economy that includes the development of innovative software applications and their use by maritime companies in an ever-evolving dynamic business ecosystem. Inevitably, this new condition requires the transformation of companies involved in a type of Digital Business Ecosystem (DBE), through the adoption and implementation of interdisciplinary methods and techniques based on biology and e-business models. The paper begins with a discussion of the origin of the term business ecosystem as well as the relevant theory for the development of the digital business ecosystem. The next chapter gives a detailed description of the DBE concept for port activities and services through the development of a conceptual business platform that supports e-services. Conclusions are summarized in the last chapter.

The article defines the features of the ecosystem business model, reveals the importance and role of digital ecosystems in the evolution of the digital economy and sustainable development. The relevance of the study is due to the deployment of exponential technologies (artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, etc.), which have caused and enabled the formation of digital ecosystems and will contribute to their spread. The purpose of the article is to define the essential features of digital ecosystems as a modern form of business and their role in transforming the business landscape in line with the current challenges of the digital economy. The methodology for studying business ecosystems is based on the key theoretical concepts that formed the basis for their formation, namely: the theory of complex systems, the theory of firm behaviour in quasi-competitive markets, and the theory of competitive co-operation. The methodological basis for the study of the ecosystem business model includes the theory of e-network economy, which focuses on horizontal relationships and spillover effects, and platform theory, which considers the interaction of participants in the process of creating common value. Results. It has been determined that business ecosystems contribute to the creation of a higher level of shared value than participants can obtain individually. The experience of the world's leading international companies shows that their strengthening and growth is driven by the use of an ecosystem model built on digital platforms, services and solutions. Global leaders of the digital economy (Apple, Amazon, Google, etc.) are examples of large digital ecosystems based on the integration of products, services, platforms and partnerships, which ensures their sustainability and ability to adapt to changes. The presence of communities of software developers, service providers, venture capitalists, startups and other participants in ecosystems is important for creating innovations and maintaining competitiveness in the long term. It has been proven that the implementation of ethical and environmental practices is a means of reducing risks and improving the reputation and viability of companies in the current environment. Business ecosystems can mitigate the negative effects of technological growth. Practical implications. It is proved that digital ecosystems play a key role in the development of the circular economy, which is a tool for achieving ESG. The authors identify the imperative directions of influence of digital ecosystems on the expansion of the circular economy. Value/Originality. The following has been further developed: the theory of business models through the definition of the essential features of digital ecosystems; the role of business ecosystems in improving the ESG criterion. Future research could be aimed at studying the institutional support for the development of business ecosystems at the international and national levels.

Participation and inclusion in the business ecosystem have emerged as a growing trend for company collaboration in areas such as innovation, product development, and research. Collaborations can take many forms, ranging from the traditional value chain to strategic alliances, corporate networks, and digital ecosystems. The Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data Analytics (BDA) play key roles in developing smart tourism destinations by delivering efficient management solutions, increased public safety, and improved operational efficiency while managing different risks and challenges, while also being a source of such risks and challenges. The objective of this article was to investigate the potential of IoT and BDA to properly control the risks associated with participants in a tourism destination’s digital ecosystem. The authors used the systematic literature review (SLR) method to examine scientific and applied articles on this subject. As a result, the main risks of the digital tourism ecosystem (DTE) as a whole and of the IoT and BDA technologies used in it were identified and classified; the features of DTE that affect risk management in it were distinguished; IoT technologies and their applications used in DTE were outlined; and the roles of DTE participants and the possible IoT technologies that can successfully address the risks associated with a given role were defined.

In the article, the author explore in sufficient detail the theoretical approaches to the definition of the concept of “complex” existing in the scientific literature, points out that at present, the features of the development of the transport and logistics complex (TLC) in relation to a large city are practically not studied, shows the difference between TLC and a cluster. The current level of development of the transport and logistics industry, the active digitalization of its business processes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic showed the need to use new scientific approaches to the organization and functioning of the activities of enterprises in this sector of the economy, and, first of all, in the direction of creating a single information space. That is why today the adaptation of the theory of ecosystems in relation to the transport and logistics sphere has become an urgent problem. At the same time, the most urgent is the study of the problems of creating digital business ecosystems, including in the transport and logistics sector. The article discusses several scientific approaches to defining the concept of “business ecosystem”; the main features of the business ecosystem are formulated; a conceptual diagram of the TLC business ecosystem of a large city based on modern digital technologies is presented; its main elements are considered; the need to manage the process of forming the digital business ecosystem of the TLC in a large city by the relevant governing bodies is indicated.

We investigate an abstract conceptualisation of Digital Ecosystems from a computer science perspective. We then provide a conceptual framework for the cross pollination of ideas, concepts and understanding between different classes of ecosystems through the universally applicable principles of Complex Adaptive System (CAS) modelling. A framework to assist the cross-disciplinary collaboration of research into Digital Ecosystems, including Digital Business Ecosystems (DBEs) and Digital Knowledge Ecosystems (DKEs). So, we have defined the key steps towards a theoretical framework for Digital the Ecosystems, that is compatible with the diverse theoretical views prevalent. Therefore, a theoretical edifice that can unify the diverse efforts within Digital Ecosystems research.

The current Chinese new music business ecosystem is based on Moore’s business ecosystem theory; the practices by some music platforms, especially through the signing of exclusive music license agreement, have led to a highly concentrated oligopolistic market that generates antitrust concerns. Thus there is potential abuse of market power by major music platforms as well as other basic problems. Against the backdrop of a dynamic business ecosystem, there are also some debatable questions arising at the interface of copyright law and antitrust law. Finally, although a dynamic music business ecosystem may be distinguished from a traditional music market, antitrust law should still be applied to the new business pattern to maintain a fair playing field for all stakeholders in the Chinese new music ecosystem.

The paper examines the digital ecosystem as a way of doing business, and highlights the elements that make up the digital ecosystem: the digital environment, subjects — participants in the ecosystem, products sold. The author analyzed Russian digital services that can be classified as digital ecosystems. It is established that it is possible to speak about business ecosystems, the functioning of which is aimed at making a profit, and ecosystems that do not have a commercial purpose. Based on the analysis, the elements of the ecosystem are determined, which include: the holding company and other companies that manage the digital ecosystem; digital platform operators; partners of digital platform operators who sell their products through digital platforms; ecosystem users who consume partner products and intermediary services of digital platform operators. The author concludes that the features of the digital ecosystem associated with its structure should determine the content of future legislative regulation of digital ecosystems, which is in its infancy.

Traditional medicine is a form of health service that has existed for a long time in Indonesia. Traditional medicine is still used by some people, especially people in rural areas. This research aims to examine the sociological aspects of traditional medicine in rural communities in West Java, Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. The research informants consisted of 10 people who were traditional medicine practitioners and people who used traditional medicine. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations. The results of the research show that traditional medicine in rural communities in West Java, Indonesia, has an important role in people's lives. Traditional medicine is used to treat various diseases, both physical and non-physical. Traditional medicine is also used to maintain health and improve people's quality of life. The discussion shows that traditional medicine has important social values for the people of inland West Java, Indonesia. These social values include the value of togetherness, the value of local wisdom, and the value of solidarity. Traditional medicine also plays a role in strengthening the cultural identity of the people of inland West Java, Indonesia. The research conclusion shows that traditional medicine is an inseparable part of the lives of the people in the interior of West Java, Indonesia. Traditional medicine has an important role in social, cultural, and public health aspects.

In this paper, which is only an opening exploration, we are imagining a multi-vendor component-based robotic software system as a digital business ecosystem. We have explored implementing model-based electronic institutions, “SmartIN” on RobMoSys (EU H2020 project) compliant SmartMDSD toolchain. This extension to SmartMDSD lets software components spontaneously remodel their service behaviour according to the institution they conform to. Electronic institutions in “SmartIN” are envisioned as models that collect several services and encapsulate patterns of their related behaviour in a rule-based multi-agent organisation. The presented idea and associated tooling are functionally adequate as a vessel. The authors lack inputs from multi-disciplinary experts for an accurate and deep understanding of possible models and mechanisms that should be incorporated to make the presented vessel truly beneficial. Hence parts of the work and tools are being shared with the community at an early stage.KeywordsModel-Driven Engineering (MDE)Component-Based Software Development (CBSD)Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)Service-Oriented Business Ecosystem (SOBE)Electronic Institutions (EI)Digital Business Ecosystems (DBE)Electronic contractsCoalition formation

The system described herein represents the first example of a recommender system in digital ecosystems where agents negotiate services on behalf of small companies. The small companies compete not only with price or quality but also with a wider service-by-service composition by subcontracting with other companies. The final result of these offerings depends on negotiations at the scale of millions of small companies. This scale requires new platforms for supporting digital business ecosystems (DBEs), as well as related services like open-id, trust management, monitors, and recommenders. This is done in the Open Negotiation Environment (ONE), which is an open-source platform that allows agents, on behalf of small companies, to negotiate and use the ecosystem services, and enables the development of new agent technologies. The methods and tools of cyber engineering are necessary to build up ONEs that are stable, a basic condition for predictable and reliable business environments. Aiming to build stable DBEs by means of improved collective intelligence, we introduce a model of negotiation-style dynamics from the point of view of computational ecology. This model inspires an ecosystem monitor and a novel negotiation-style recommender (NSR). The ecosystem monitor provides hints to the NSR to achieve greater stability of ONE in a DBE. The greater stability provides the small companies with higher predictability and, therefore, better business results. The NSR is implemented with a simulated-annealing algorithm at a constant temperature, and its impact is shown by applying it to a real case of ONE populated by Italian companies.

Abstract. Mutaqin AZ, Kurniadie D, Iskandar J, Nurzaman M, Partasasmita R. 2020. Ethnobotany of suweg (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius): Folk classification, habitat, and traditional conservation in Cisoka Village, Majalengka District, Cimanuk Watershed Region, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 546-555. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson or suweg is commonly called in Sunadese of West Java as suweg that is a species of tuber growing in many regions of the world, including in the Cimanuk Watershed, West Java Province, Indonesia. A. paeoniifolius usually grows in rural areas of West Java in some agroecosystem types, including the homegarden, garden, and mixed garden system. This plant species, in contrast to other tuber species, such as taro, has not been intensively cultivated by rural community in West Java. Even though A. paeoniifolius has not been intensively cultivated, this plant species in the future have the potential to be used for various purposes for human being. Because A. paeoniifolius, one of plant tubers, has a high resistance to unpredictable environmental changes, such as climate change, pest disruption, and easy to maintain. This study aimed to elucidate the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of rural people of Cisoka Village, Cikijing Sub-district, Majalengka District of Cimanuk Watershed, West Java on folk classification, habitat, and traditional conservation of A. paeoniifolius. The method used in this study was qualitative. Field data collection was undertaken by observation and semi-structured interviews or deep interviews with competent informants. The results of study showed that the rural population of Cisoka Village, Majalengka District, has recognized two kinds of Amorphophallus. Firstly, Amorphophallus is a commonly consumed that is called suweg which has scientific name as Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson. Secondly, Amorphophallus is recognized as not commonly consumed which is called 'iles-iles' (Amorphophallus variabilis Blume). Both species can be traditionally classified based on morphology (tubers, leaf blade and petioles, and flowers), habitat, utilization, cultivation, and suitability of growing places. Specifically, A. paeoniifolius, grows in various conditions, growing at non-cultivated lands, such as forests and cultivated land, such as homegarden, garden, mixed-garden, and rice fields, or pond edges, but predominantly grows in homegardens and gardens. Some of these lands are hieum or shaded areas and negrak or open areas. A. paeoniifolius starts to grow and develop at the beginning of the rainy season until approaching the dry season, which is characterized by yellowing and falling of petiole. Conservation of A. paeoniifolius has been based on tradition is carried out by the rural community through storage/ preparation of seeds, which does not destroy A. paeoniifolius that grows in several types of agroecosystems, and is managed semi-intensively in several types of agroecosystems such as homegardens and gardens.