Abreu, AntónioUrze, Paula2017-05-082017-05-082016-11-07ABREU, A.; URZE, P. – System thinking shaping innovation ecosystems. Open Engineering. ISSN 2391-5439. Vol. 1, Open Issue (2016), pp. 418-4252391-5439http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/6986Over the last few decades, there has been a trend to build innovation platforms as enablers for groups of companies to jointly develop new products and services. As a result, the notion of co-innovation is getting wider acceptance. However, a critical issue that is still open, despite some efforts in this area, is the lack of tools and models that explain the synergies created in a co-innovation process. In this context, the present paper aims at discussing the advantages of applying a system thinking approach to understand the mechanisms associated with co-innovation processes. Finally, based on experimental results from a Portuguese co-innovation network, a discussion on the benefits, challenges and difficulties found are presented and discussed.engSystem ThinkingInnovationKnowledge TransferCollaborative NetworksInnovation ecosystemsCase Studyjournal article10.1515/eng-2016-0065