Navigating Tensions: Between Established and Emerging Roles of Research and Technology Organizations in Pursuit of Transformative Change

As innovation ecosystems emerge as central vehicles for addressing complex societal and technological challenges, Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) are increasingly assuming pivotal roles beyond their traditional remit. This paper examines the evolving roles of RTOs within these ecosystems, particularly considering their capacity to serve as system orchestrators, intermediaries, and enablers of transformation.
Drawing on the conceptual lens of dynamics, we analyze how RTOs both respond to and shape their environment, focusing on a national case study: Austria’s AI Factory initiative. The findings reveal that RTOs play a critical role in structuring and sustaining emerging innovation ecosystems and must continuously balance competing demands and expectations. By addressing the multidimensional roles and tensions RTOs face, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how these organizations can strategically enable systemic innovation and sustainable transformation.