scholarly journals Data-driven innovation processes within federated networks

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Rizk ◽  
Anna Ståhlbröst ◽  
Ahmed Elragal
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Process ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Innovation Networks ◽  
Digital Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Growing Domain ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Innovation Processes

PurposeWithin digital innovation, there are two significant consequences of the pervasiveness of digital technology: (1) the increasing connectivity is enabling a wider reach and scope of innovation structures, such as innovation networks and (2) the unprecedented availability of digital data is creating new opportunities for innovation. Accordingly, there is a growing domain for studying data-driven innovation (DDI), especially in contemporary contexts of innovation networks. The purpose of this study is to explore how DDI processes take form in a specific type of innovation networks, namely federated networks.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study design is applied in this paper. We draw our analysis from data collected over six months from four cases of DDI. The within-analysis is aimed at constructing the DDI process instance in each case, while the crosscase analysis focuses on pattern matching and cross-case synthesis of common and unique characteristics in the constructed processes.FindingsEvidence from the crosscase analysis suggests that the widely accepted four-phase digital innovation process (including discovery, development, diffusion and post-diffusion) does not account for the explorative nature of data analytics and DDI. We propose an extended process comprising an explicit exploration phase before development, where refinement of the innovation concept and exploring social relationships are essential. Our analysis also suggests two modes of DDI: (1) asynchronous, i.e. data acquired before development and (2) synchronous, i.e. data acquired after (or during) development. We discuss the implications of these modes on the DDI process and the participants in the innovation network.Originality/valueThe paper proposes an extended version of the digital innovation process that is more specifically suited for DDI. We also provide an early explanation to the variation in DDI process complexities by highlighting the different modes of DDI processes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical investigation of DDI following the process from early stages of discovery till postdiffusion.

Demystifying the benefits and risks of Lean service innovation: a banking case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiwei Gong ◽  
Marijn Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Service Innovation ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Principles ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Perspective ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovation Processes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demystify Lean for service innovation by investigating its benefits and risks. Lean innovation is a relatively new approach which is advocated in management literature. Little scientific work about its practice exists in the field. Although the Lean innovation principles are clear, there is limited evidence about their impact on service innovation processes. Design/methodology/approach – From the knowledge-based view (KBV) of the firm, a framework for understanding Lean innovation is developed. Using this framework, the benefits and risks of Lean innovation are analyzed in a case study. Findings – The case study not only shows that Lean service innovation can have many advantages, but also draws attention to the risks. The risks might result in the inability to follow Lean principles and might hamper the realization of the benefits. Using the case studies, study mitigation mechanisms are identified. Originality/value – This research offers a new knowledge perspective and a better understanding of Lean service innovation. There are two main contribution of this paper. First of all, it reports on the impact of Lean innovation on a bank’s innovation processes, both its benefit and risks. This has a contribution to understanding the innovation process in service organizations. Second, this paper extends Lean innovation to a service context and contributes to the knowledge basis of Lean innovation.

Exploring Social Aspects Influence on Change in Network Relationships

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 14-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Svensson ◽  
Carina Ihlström Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Innovation Networks ◽  
Next Of Kin ◽  
Digital Innovation ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Innovation Processes

Digital innovation processes are becoming more and more networked, and actors are growing dependent on each other’s competences, resources and knowledge. In networks developing digital innovation actors need to identify, mobilize, and integrate diverse and heterogeneous knowledge resources to be able to innovate successfully. Social aspects are important where heterogeneous actors connect, negotiate, and adjust to each other’s perspectives. The aim of this paper is to explain how social aspects such as trust, commitment and power, influence changes in relationships in digital innovation networks. A case study approach was selected to study events involving multiple actors in an innovation and development project aimed at introducing technology that aids elderly, home care personnel and next of kin by improving the management of home care visits. Based on the authors’ findings they present a model for how social aspects influence changes in relationships and conclude by making six propositions.

Building firm capability through imitative innovation: Chinese manufacturing SME cases

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Si ◽  
Song Wang ◽  
Steven M. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Process ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Technological Capabilities ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Firm Capability ◽  
Multiple Case

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how firm capability can be accumulated with the inputs of learning efforts targeted at resolving barriers existing in the imitative innovation process. This paper takes imitative innovation as a process involving a few stages during which learning efforts are targeted at overcoming barriers existing within each process.Design/methodology/approachThe multiple case study approach has been adopted to explore how Chinese manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) learn and increase their technological capabilities through a continuous process of product refinement and improvement based on imitative innovation. In particular, the authors accentuate the learning efforts that firms must make to cope with various technological barriersFindingsIt is revealed that during the initial stages of imitative innovation, the organizational learning of Chinese manufacturing SMEs is highly constrained by the limitations of their technological resources and capabilities. It is also found that original equipment manufacturers can play an important role in providing Chinese learners with both explicit and tacit technological knowledge.Originality/valueThis study investigates how firm capability can be accumulated with the inputs of learning efforts targeted at resolving barriers existing in the imitative innovation process. The multiple case study approach has been adopted to explore how Chinese manufacturing SMEs learn and increase their technological capabilities through a continuous process of product refinement and improvement based on imitative innovation that could add new and great value to this research area.

Managing knowledge in open innovation processes: an intellectual property perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1384-1405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Bican ◽  
Carsten C. Guderian ◽  
Anne Ringbeck
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Modus Operandi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Innovation Processes

Purpose As firms turn their innovation activities toward collaborating with external partners, they face additional challenges in managing their knowledge. While different modes of intellectual property right regimes are applied in closed innovation systems, there seems to be tension between the concepts of “open innovation” and “intellectual property rights”. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how firms best manage knowledge via intellectual property rights in open innovation processes. Design/methodology/approach Following a mixed methods approach, the authors review relevant literature at the intersection of knowledge management, intellectual property rights, strategic management of intellectual property rights and the open innovation process. The authors identify success drivers through the lenses of – but not limited to – intellectual property rights and classify them in five distinct groups. Expending the view on open innovation beyond its modus operandi, the authors develop the Open Innovation Life Cycle, covering three stages and three levels of the open innovation process. The authors apply their findings to a case study in the pharmaceutical industry. Findings The authors provide four key contributions. First, existing literature yields inconclusive results concerning the enabling or disabling function of intellectual property rights in open innovation processes, but the majority of scholars detect an ambivalent relation. Second, they identify and classify success drivers of successful knowledge management via intellectual property rights in open innovation processes. Third, they advance literature on open innovation beyond its modus operandi to include three stages and three levels. Fourth, they test their findings to a case study and show how management leverages knowledge by properly using intellectual property rights in open innovation. Practical implications The findings support firms in managing knowledge via intellectual property rights in open innovation processes. Management should account for the peculiarities of open innovation preparation and open innovation termination to prevent unintentional knowledge drain. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to view open innovation as a process beyond its modus operandi by considering the preparations for and termination of open innovation activities. It also addresses the levels involved in managing knowledge via intellectual property rights in open innovation from individual (personal) to project and firm level.

scholarly journals Fourth industrial revolution, digital servitization and relationship quality in Italian B2B manufacturing firms. An exploratory study

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-671
Author(s):  
Roberto Grandinetti ◽  
Maria Vincenza Ciasullo ◽  
Marco Paiola ◽  
Francesco Schiavone
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Case

PurposeIndustry 4.0 is dramatically affecting businesses behaviours and strategies, transforming products design, manufacture, operations and services. An outcome of this transformation is digital servitization. This paper aims to contribute to the extant literature about digital servitization in B2B contexts by analysing how I4.0-based servitization affects the quality of supplier–customer relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopted a qualitative methodology based on an exploratory multiple case study. In particular, the study included 22 Italian B2B manufacturing firms whose I4.0-based digital servitization approaches are described and, then, analysed in relation to the quality of supplier–customer relationships.FindingsThe access to customers and data is critical to enable advanced digital services and for improving relationship quality; the levels of relational intimacy and informational openness lead to two subsequent levels of data-driven efficiency and data-driven effectiveness, impacting significantly on relationship quality and enabling relational innovation.Originality/valueThe research explores the link, so far underestimated, between digital servitization and relationship quality in industrial contexts.

scholarly journals Balancing diversity in innovation networks

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Sandberg ◽  
Jonny Holmström ◽  
Nannette Napier ◽  
Per Levén
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Innovation Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trading Zones ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Collaboration And Communication ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
University Industry ◽  
Innovation Processes

Purpose – Although the potential of innovation networks that involve both university and industry actors is great variances in cultures, goals and knowledge poses significant challenges. To better understand management of such innovation networks, the authors investigate different strategies for balancing diversity. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In this multiple case study, the authors draw on network and trading zone theory to examine the strategies of four research centers that govern university-industry innovation networks. Findings – The authors provide empirically grounded descriptions of strategies for balancing diversity in innovation processes, extend previous theorizations by suggesting two types of trading zones (transformative and performative), and identify four strategy configuration dimensions (means of knowledge trade, tie configuration, knowledge mobility mechanisms and types of trust). Research limitations/implications – Further research is needed on transferability of results when, e.g. cultural collaboration and communication patterns change, and performance implications of different configurations. The research provides conceptual tools for future research on the impact of different diversity strategies. Practical implications – The findings point to the importance of identifying desired types of innovation outcomes and designing the appropriate level of diversity. To implement the selected strategy, managers need to configure communication channels and strength of relationships, establish associated capacity for knowledge transfer and build appropriate levels of trust. Originality/value – While extant research has provided a solid understanding of benefits from diversity in boundary spanning innovation processes, this paper outlines strategies for managing associated challenges.

Seeking the stakeholder-oriented value of innovation: a CKI perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Palmieri ◽  
Carlo Giglio
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Process Outcomes ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The One ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovation Processes

Purpose – The paper focuses on the management of the innovation process. It provides a more comprehensive approach for the analysis of the mutual relationships among creativity, knowledge and innovation (CKI), thus going beyond the one-to-one basis of analysis prevailing in literature. Given the varied set of stakeholders concerned with innovation process outcomes, the need for adopting different perspectives emerges (i.e. macroeconomic, institutional, socio-cultural and corporate). A framework, including a set of indicators grouped by perspective is proposed in order to help capture several outputs of innovation processes. Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative research paper based on the literature review and the development of theoretical remarks. The multiple-case study approach corroborates the theoretical analysis. Findings – The model aims to provide an operating tool for the management of innovation processes. It helps to assess the impact of innovation plans and operating actions at any level. The model may support decision making and control tasks in operating contexts, providing a strategic tool for governments and managers. This paper may encourage academicians to refine the CKI perspective and improve the model's capacity to predict and assess the impacts of innovation processes. Originality/value – The framework may help when analyzing a CKI interaction system. It allows understanding of the dynamics between creativity vs knowledge resource policies (creativity-based approach vs knowledge-based approach) and innovation goals. The model also serves to deepen the circular nature of CKI interactions and their outcomes.

scholarly journals The digitalization of the innovation process

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lara Agostini ◽  
Francesco Galati ◽  
Luca Gastaldi
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Digital Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Customer Feedback ◽  
Innovation Processes ◽  
Innovation Outcomes

Purpose As various scholars have pointed out, the exponential growth in digital technologies has resulted in significant improvements to many business processes, and has also played a significant role in the field of innovation. The purpose of this paper is to organise the contributions of this special issue according to a framework that considers three topics currently being debated extensively in literature: innovation inputs, innovation processes and innovation outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Papers in this special issue adopt both qualitative and quantitative approaches based on the purpose of the study, which gives also a methodological variety to the special issue. Findings Papers in this special issue show that because of digital technologies: first, inputs are progressively becoming interrelated, making most of innovation endeavours happening in inter-organizational ecosystems of actors; second, innovation processes are gradually being compressed, anticipating and enhancing the phases in which customer feedback is gathered and employed; and finally, innovation outputs are increasingly taking the form of platforms used to create value by matching the supply of an asset with demand. Originality/value The value of this and other papers included in the special issue consists of embracing the topic of digital innovation from a managerial standpoint, contributing to the understanding of how the innovation process and other business processes may be affected by the use of digital technologies.

The role of accounting for managing innovation processes when relationships matter

IMP Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Lind
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stability And Instability ◽  
Software Release ◽  
Innovation Processes

Purpose This paper studies how accounting information is used by actors in an innovation process. It investigates how accounting information influences and is influenced by the different actors. The purpose of this paper is to develop a more thorough understanding of the role of accounting in making the choices that form temporary solutions. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth case study of the development of a standard software release within the telecom industry. Findings This study has shown that accounting was a key ingredient when temporary solutions were formed in the innovation processes. Actors used accounting to stabilize the content of the release in the formation of the gate documents and used accounting to destabilize the content between the temporary solutions. It is difficult to evaluate whether the use of accounting improved or harmed the innovation. Further, the study also revealed that the use of accounting influenced and was influenced by previous and prospective future deals. This put new challenges on the use of accounting because it involved negotiation processes that influenced the accounting figures. Practical implications The findings provide insights into the procedures for finding temporary solutions in the innovation process and the role of accounting in these procedures. Originality/value This paper contributes by providing a more thorough understanding of the role of accounting regarding the choices that comprise the temporary solutions within the innovation process. In addition, it shows how accounting has a critical role both for settling on and modifying temporary solutions. Hence, the research demonstrated how studies of the role of accounting in innovation processes can contribute to the industrial network approach by giving a more thorough understanding of network dynamics and the process of attaining stability and instability in business networks.

Open innovation in SMEs

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisa Henttonen ◽  
Hanna Lehtimäki
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Forestry Sector ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The Core Competence ◽  
Opening Up

Purpose This study examines how technology-intensive small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engage in open innovation. The purpose of this paper is to add to the literature on open innovation in SMEs, which has received considerably less attention than open innovation in large companies. Also, the study adds on the literature on open innovation in the commercialization phase. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study of 13 technology-intensive SMEs in forestry sector was conducted. The forestry sector in Finland was chosen as a target context, there were many innovative pioneering SMEs operating in the industry and because the sector was going through significant changes. Findings Three multi-firm collaboration modes in the commercialization phase were identified: networks with a lead partner, equal partnership, and partnership for external technology commercialization. The study shows that in SMEs, open innovation is used for commercialization rather than research and development. The main conclusion of the study is that the mode of collaboration in commercialization is determined by the core competence of the firm and the strategy for open innovation. Practical implications The study results imply that SMEs benefit from opening up their innovation process in the commercialization phase. The firms in this study employed a blend of strategies that capitalized on their internal strengths. They collaborated actively with external firms and outsourced from specialists. This way they were able to compensate for their internal weaknesses and gain competitive advantage. Originality/value The study extends our understanding of open innovation by providing a detailed analysis of how open innovation takes place in the commercialization phase of innovation process. Also, the study extends understanding of the strategic use of open innovation in SMEs by showing how SMEs balance the risk of losing their competitive advantage built on innovation and the benefit of creating a broader competence base with partnerships.

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