Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems and Business Resilience: The Case of SMEs in the Souss-Massa Region

Abstract

In a context marked by environmental, economic, and social challenges, this research examines how sustainable innovation ecosystems strengthen organizational resilience. It aims to better understand the mechanisms that enable firms to adapt and sustain performance in pressured territories, particularly in the Souss-Massa region. The study adopts a qualitative approach based on an in-depth case study. The methodology focuses on exploring practices and governance logics that connect sustainable innovation with organizational resilience. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with business leaders, cluster representatives, academic institutions, and public and private actors across the value chain. These interviews were complemented by field observations and the analysis of internal documents. The findings highlight key drivers of dual economic and environmental performance, including cooperation, inter-organizational learning, and sustainable culture. The study also proposes an analytical framework that can be applied to territorial ecosystems seeking to strengthen their collective resilience capacity.