Öppen och kollaborativ innovation
- Erfarenheter från sex företag -
This master of science thesis intends to examine how the established innovation theoriesinteracts with the social and cultural phenomena arising from the reduction in communicationcosts as a result of the development of the internet.The aim is to present a knowledge inventory of attitudes to and experiences of an openapproach, with emphasis on collaborative innovation, in product and service developmentdriven companies in different fields. The studied theories and the empirical results forms thebasis for an analysis of how companies can benefit from the diversified knowledge that existsoutside their borders as well as an exploration of the potential for this kind of knowledgeexchange to act as a catalyst for innovation.The theoretical part of the study is based essentially on two tracks: (1) innovation theories witha focus onopen innovation and user innovation, and (2) a broad review of how theories ofdiversified knowledgeand collective intelligence has become possible to apply in an innovationcontext. The empirical part of the study is based on material obtained from semi-structuredinterviews with respondents from six companies.The results show that companies have implemented unstructured innovation initiatives withoutany formal links to the structured product development processes, which are part of thecompanies core activities. The main conclusions include the following insights: There is a needfor structured links between the unstructured initiatives and the core activities, which makes itpossible to take promising ideas to market. The companies also have to lose some control of theunstructured initiatives; consequently it is impossible to pinpoint what the outcome will be. Infact, the strength lies in their unpredictability. At the same time it is necessary for companies tonurture the relationships with the people they collaborate with by manifesting commitmentthrough participation in the value-creating activities on the same terms as the other participants.The synergies in the relationships between companies and individuals are found in creatingspace for individuals to express their passion for their particular interests. Both the theoreticaland empirical study show that monetary compensation to the contributing individuals isessential, but often not sufficient, to get them interested in participating in the companiesinnovation processes. The unstructured initiatives generate many good ideas, but the valuerelationship between idea and execution should be balanced out so that the latter is rewarded.