Collaboration between Large Companies and Development Labs
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URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Science |
Authors
Date
2013
Department
Major/Subject
Teollisuustalous|Työpsykologia ja johtaminen
Mcode
TU-22|TU-53
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
109
Series
Abstract
This study aims to provide new insights into the collaboration between large companies and Development Labs (DLs). This type of collaboration is adopting higher popularity within the innovation ecosystem in the Nordic countries. DLs are innovation communities that result of local collaborative practices and whose purpose is to participate in systemic social innovations. Large companies are aware of this new phenomenon and they are interested in knowing more about the value that these new open innovation practices might add to their innovation processes. The research process of this study begins with the literature review for the supplier and the user-driven innovation theories as well as the theory related to innovation communities and innovation intermediaries. The literature helps build a theoretical framework which assists the analysis of the empirical data. New theory is generated by analyzing the empirical data collected from semi thematic interviews and the participant observation in one of the cases. According to the obtained results, DLs provide to large companies the opportunity to carry out student-driven innovation. This study emphasizes the differences between the involvement of students and users in their respective innovation processes. While users might provide relevant information about their needs and experiences, the involvement of students aims to obtain out-of-the box ideas independently of the field of application. Indeed, DLs are innovation communities that play the role of innovation intermediaries within the open innovation ecosystem. They are a bridge to students, and a platform for concept development in the early phases of the innovation process. In conclusion, DLs are new partners for large companies in innovation cooperation. They add time, best cost and product solution value to their innovation process.Description
Supervisor
Eloranta, EeroThesis advisor
Takala, MinnaKeywords
development labs, innovation intermediary, open innovation, student-driven innovation, user-driven innovation