Understanding the roles of business ecosystems in large public IT infrastructure project development: The case of M-Taipei

This case study examines how public–private business ecosystems play a critical role in pubic IT infrastructure project development. In studying the worldʹs foremost wireless “cyber city,” the M-Taipei project, we argue that the symbiotic nature of relationships in business ecosystems is of critical importance in conducting the public IT project. Based on the case data, we differentiate three forms of business ecosystems – knowledge-oriented, resource-oriented, and business-oriented which emerged in the different phases of project development. We hope to provide a foundation for future discussions on this increasingly important view of research and practice.