Title: Implementing open innovation: cultural issues

Authors: Letizia Mortara, Imke Slacik, Johann J. Napp, Tim Minshall

Addresses: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK. ' Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK. ' Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK. ' Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK

Abstract: This paper presents the results of case study research into the organisational culture issues underpinning the successful implementation of an open innovation (OI) strategy for multinational corporations. The results of this research are drawn from the series of single company case studies supported by data captured at multi-company workshops. The research highlights the different issues facing both |blue sky| R&D and applied R&D, as well as those service functions established specifically to support the implementation of OI. For the |blue sky| R&D, issues can be overcome by leveraging the scientists| motivation for research by setting up spaces for interaction with external organisations and by reducing the barriers and obstacles of the more |mundane| tasks of external interactions. For applied R&D, issues can be overcome by setting specific targets for cooperation with the external organisations, showing the benefits of an OI approach by demonstrating its strong problem solving potential and using budget constraints to induce the outsourcing of research.

Keywords: organisational culture; multinational corporations; MNCs; workshops; blue sky R&D; research and development; applied R&D; innovation implementation; scientists; motivation; external organisations; barriers; obstacles; mundane tasks; external interactions; target setting; cooperation; problem solving; budget constraints; outsourcing; entrepreneurship; innovation management; open innovation; collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2010.032264

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2010 Vol.11 No.4, pp.369 - 397

Published online: 19 Mar 2010 *

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