Background

Innovation is an increasingly distributed process, involving networks of geographically dispersed players with a variety of possible – and dynamic – value chain configurations. ‘Open innovation’ is one term that has emerged to describe the use of:

“[..] inflows and outflows of knowledge to accelerate internal innovation, and expand the markets for external use of innovation [..].”

(Chesbrough et al., 2006).

Implementing an open innovation strategy presents many challenges for management. Our research in this area is focused on helping companies understand and overcome these challenges.

Resources and links

Briefing

• Creating an environment for open innovation
• Partnerships between technology-based start-ups and established firms: making them work

Reports

• How to implement open innovation: lessons from studying large multinational companies
• Getting help with open innovation
• Technology acquisition and protection 

Open Innovation Practitioner Forum in the Food and FMCG Value Chain

• The Forum is a structured programme where members share best practice, explore 'hot topics' along the food and FMCG Value Stream and participate in optional, accelerated Open Innovation (OI) collaborations. More details here.

Open Innovation Research Forum

• The Forum is a structured programme where members share best practice, explore ‘hot topics’ along the FMCG Value Stream & participate in optional, accelerated OI collaborations.

Related links

• IfM's open innovation blog 
• Joel West's Open Innovation blog 
• Openinnovation.eu
• Openinnovation.net 
• Centre for Open Innovation, Berkeley 

Open Innovation Practitioner Support

• IfM's Education and Consultancy Services are able to offer practitioner support to assist individual companies to develop appropriate skills and to evaluate current practices and accelerate the adoption of Open Innovation. 

Academic publications

• Ahn, J.M., Mortara, L., Minshall, T., 2013. The effects of open innovation on firm performance: a capacity approach. Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Review 4, 74-93.
• Mortara, L., Ford, S.J., Jaeger, M., In press. Idea competitions under scrutiny : Acquisition, Intelligence or Public Relation Mechanism? Technological forecasting & social change.
• Mortara, L. and T. Minshall (2011). "How do multinational corporations implement Open Innovation?" Technovation 31 (10-11): 586-597. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2011.05.002
• Minshall, T., S. Kouris and L. Mortara (2011). "Development of an Infrastructure to Support Open Innovation." SSRN Online from http://ssrn.com/abstract=1935691 .
• Mortara, L., J. J. Napp, S. Ford and T. Minshall (2011). Open Innovation activities to foster Corporate Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship and technological change. L. Cassia, T. Minola and S. Paleari, E. Elgar: 287-316.
• Mortara, L., I. Slacik, J. J. Napp and T. Minshall (2010). "Implementing Open Innovation (OI): cultural issues." International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 11(4): 369-397. http://inderscience.metapress.com/content/m00669k0k9x213j5/
• Minshall, T. H. W., L. Mortara, D. R. Probert and R. Valli (2010). "Making 'asymmetric' partnerships work." Research Technology Management. 53(3): 53-63.
• Minshall, T., L. Mortara and J. J. Napp (2010). Implementing Open Innovation: Challenges in Linking Strategic and Operational Factors for Large Firms Working with HTSFs. New Technology-Based Firms in the New Millennium R. Oakey, A. Groen, G. Cook and P. Van der Sijde. Bingley, UK, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. VIII: 189 - 210. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/books.htm?issn=1876-0228
• Minshall, T., F. Livesey, L. Mortara, J.J. Napp, Y. Shi and Z. Y; (2010). Manufacturing and open innovation Nanotechnologies for future mobile devices. T. Ryhanen, M. A. Uusitalo, O. Ikkala and A. Karkkainen. Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Press: 229-249. http://www.cambridge.org/gb/knowledge/isbn/item2702802/?site_locale=en_GB
• Mortara, L., J. Shawcross, J. Mills, J. J. Napp and T. Minshall (2009). Skills for open innovation. RADMA. Vienna 21-24 June 2009.
• Minshall, T. H. W., L. Mortara, S. Elia and D. Probert (2008). "Development of practitioner guidelines for partnerships between start-ups and large firms." Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management 19(3): 391 - 406.
• Mortara, L., T. H. W. Minshall, J. J. Napp and I. Slacik (2008). Implementing Open Innovation: cultural issues International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM) 2008, 15-18 June. Tours, France.
• Minshall, T. H. W., L. Mortara and J. J. Napp (2007). Implementing Open Innovation: Challenges in Linking Strategic and Operational Factors for HTSFs Working with Large Firms. 15th High Tech Small Firms Conference, 14-15 June 2007, Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK.
• Minshall, T. H. W., L. Mortara and J. J. Napp (2007). Open innovation: Linking strategic and operational factors. R&D Management Conference 2007, 4-6th July 2007. Bremen, Germany.
• Minshall, T. H. W., S. Seldon and D. Probert (2007). "Commercializing a disruptive technology based upon university IP through open innovation: A case study of Cambridge Display Technology." International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management 4(3).