Governing ecosystems - applications in architecture and resilience
Technology Partner at PwC | MIT CISR Industry Research Fellow | ISO TC/307 Blockchain Standards Committee
Max SemenchukIn this discussion, we’ll examine failure and success cases in the governance of digital ecosystems and explore their emerging application to the architecture and resilience of ecosystems. Findings will draw on results from wide ranging research cases examined by this research at the Center for Information Systems at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Key Ideas:
- Why ecosystems matter: Three drivers - (1) Value growth beyond traditional relationships, (2) Addressing shared challenges no single entity can solve, (3) Accessing resources/expertise not available individually
- Common failure modes: Insufficient value vs. investment/risk, lack of trust in powerful participants, unfair benefit distribution, misaligned goals, opacity of motivations, privacy concerns
- Three governance models:
- Alpha: Single governing entity (centralized) - requires transparent benefit distribution and visible infrastructure investment
- Representative: Governing body nominated by key stakeholders - needs contention management and social contracts
- Liquid: Large participant base with consensus rules (web3/DAO) - requires efficient value distribution and crisis resolution modes
- Ecosystem resilience: Lacks organizational levers (hierarchical authority, controlled systems) - must compensate with:
- Critical intelligence feedback loops (OODA: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
- Trust-building mechanisms
- Government-industry collaboration
- Equitable cost/value distribution
- Crisis resolution modality
- Orchestration functions for coordination
w3i network
We're thrilled to introduce a leader at the intersection of blockchain standards and enterprise innovation to the IEEE 2nd Ukrainian DLT Forum: REBUIDL: Gayan Benedict, Partner at PwC and MIT CISR Industry Research Fellow.
Gayan brings a unique perspective that bridges the worlds of enterprise consulting, academic research, and technical standardization. As a Partner at PwC, he guides organizations through the complexities of blockchain adoption and digital transformation. His role as an MIT CISR Industry Research Fellow positions him at the cutting edge of research into how companies can leverage emerging technologies to build resilient digital ecosystems.
What sets Gayan apart is his active involvement in shaping the global standards that will govern blockchain technology's future. As a member of the ISO TC/307 Blockchain Standards Committee, he contributes to establishing the technical and governance frameworks that will enable blockchain systems to achieve interoperability, security, and trust at scale. His work focuses on building ecosystem resilience—ensuring that decentralized systems can withstand challenges while delivering sustainable value to enterprises and communities alike.
With his combination of practical enterprise experience, academic rigor, and standards development expertise, Gayan offers invaluable insights into how organizations can navigate the evolving landscape of distributed ledger technologies while building robust, future-proof systems.