The Innovative Enterprise: Venture Evolution And Strategic Resilience In A VUCA World

Abstract

This paper examines the innovation-driven emergence and strategic evolution of Mastercard Incorporated (“Mastercard”) as a dynamic venture navigating a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) global environment. Integrating insights from Open Innovation Management, Ambidexterity, Dynamic Capabilities, Platform, and Ecosystem Theories, the study proposes a comprehensive conceptual model the Mastercard VUCA Orchestrator Framework. The research synthesizes evidence from academic literature to illuminate how Mastercard’s strategic innovation, collaborative partnerships, and technological adaptability foster resilience and sustained growth. The analysis reveals Mastercard’s dual identity as both a mature multinational and an emerging digital venture, continually reconfiguring its business model to harness platform economies, ecosystem co-creation, and venture-scale innovation. Findings suggest that Mastercard’s enduring competitiveness is rooted in orchestrating innovation across multi-rail digital ecosystems, leveraging ambidextrous leadership, and embedding sustainability and trust at the core of its operations.