Open Innovation—Is It Genuinely Open?
Yaron Flint
Strategy & Partnerships | Published Author specializing in innovation integration, leading global teams | Corporate Development | Divergent Thinker and Innovation Veteran
In many forward-thinking corporations striving to demonstrate their innovative approach, the term "open innovation" is frequently used. Coined by Professor Henry W. Chesbrough in his 2003 book, this concept challenges the traditional, inward-focused approach to innovation. It advocates for a model where companies share both internal and external technologies to discover new revenue streams and drive growth.
However, embracing an open approach presents two primary challenges. Firstly, how does a company effectively transition towards openness? What guidelines exist for not only transforming corporate culture but also integrating external expertise? Secondly, does every adoption of external solutions genuinely reflect openness, or does it merely perpetuate a closed innovation mindset?
While my book addresses the first challenge comprehensively, I aim to offer a different perspective: how truly receptive is a company to external partnerships and new technologies? Simply sharing internally developed technologies without shifting away from a closed innovation mindset—where the corporation believes it has the best solutions and should educate others—does not equate to genuine openness. Exploiting new revenue streams is fundamental, but it alone does not cultivate an open organizational mindset.
For instance, an M&A process might be considered a form of open innovation, as it involves incorporating external technology. However, it often still reflects a desire to maintain internal control. Acquiring and integrating a company under the corporate umbrella may not fully embody the essence of a more open approach to innovation.
Take Apple Inc., for example. Historically, Apple has maintained a closed ecosystem, with strict control over its technology and product development. This approach was characterized by tight integration of its hardware and software and limited collaboration with external developers.
However, in response to increased competition and evolving consumer expectations, Apple has made notable shifts towards greater openness. For instance, its Developer Program has allowed third-party developers to create apps for iOS, and the company has formed partnerships with accessory makers to expand its ecosystem. These moves reflect a more open approach to innovation.
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Nevertheless, Apple’s openness is carefully controlled. The company still imposes strict guidelines on app approval and hardware integration to ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience. This selective openness demonstrates a strategic balance between embracing external contributions and maintaining internal control over its ecosystem.
Typically, companies begin their innovation journey with internal development before recognizing the limitations of self-sufficiency and exploring external expertise. During this phase, many struggle to define an effective framework for collaboration. Through experimentation, they learn to integrate new technologies more effectively.
As I see it, merely controlling external solutions does not signify a shift towards openness. Much like the superficial use of innovation, mere sharing without genuine partnership fails to represent true openness. Authentic openness requires moving beyond the supplier-customer dynamic to form mutual collaborations where both parties benefit.
A company can only claim to have genuinely embraced open innovation when it proudly displays joint logos with its partners, demonstrating a true spirit of collaboration. True openness demands a cultural shift from mere sharing to meaningful partnering, marking a significant evolution within the organization.
In conclusion, the true measure of openness lies in whether a company has moved from a sharing mentality to a genuine partnering mentality. Only then can it authentically claim to be open to innovation.
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| Creative Copywriter & Storyteller | Elevating Brands by Igniting Emotions and Inspiring Action |
1 个月It's like limiting oneself to cultivating a single private plot, sharing only observations with others who do the same, which restricts the diversity of ideas and approaches. In contrast, open innovation is like a collaborative garden where seeds, advice, and resources are exchanged, allowing the plants to thrive due to the diversity of shared efforts. Would the correct approach be to see the other organization as an extension of ourselves rather than just a source of benefit?
Technologist & Strategist @ Pierer Innovation. Working on Tech Scouting, IoT, open innovation and strategic projects to help keep Pierer Mobility fit for the 21st century.
2 个月You are right - partnering is key (and there are many forms of partnering) , but also genuine sharing (of challenges), to a point - since you want to protect core IP. And then there is the scouting and careful listening (be educated). Another aspect is that seldom there is THE organisation, throughout a corporate you will find various degrees of openness.
Future-Archaeologist/Zukunftsarch?ologe, writer and artist
3 个月I guess the difference would be between cooperating or collaborating in an innovation system to become truly open. Marcel Aberle
Venture Capital | Advisory | WHU
3 个月Great piece, thank you for sharing! Yaron Flint
Elevating Leadership for New Mobility | Partner "Mobility&Advisory Services" | Ex CEO ERTICO and VP Continental | Former Speaker World Economic Forum and House of Lords
3 个月Fully agree wit Yaron Flint ???? Genuine openness is key for successful cooperation between companies on innovation. I see two major key characteristics: 1. Early Identification of Mutual Benefit and Shared Goals Constructive openness requires that all parties involved in a collaboration have aligned objectives and derive mutual benefits from the partnership. This ensures that the collaboration is not merely transactional but is built on a foundation of shared vision and goals. 2. Consequent and Deeply Transparent Communication and Knowledge Sharing Effective collaboration necessitates open and transparent communication channels where knowledge and insights are freely exchanged. This transparency fosters trust and allows for the co-creation of innovative solutions. In my view, these characteristics help ensure that partnerships are not just superficial engagements but are deeply collaborative, fostering genuine innovation and openness.