Motivating and Supporting Collaboration in Open Innovation - Term Paper Example

Motivating and Supporting Collaboration in Open Innovation Introduction The article discusses the collaboration at the online portals. It describes the motivating factors behind the active participation as well as the supporting collaborative tools in online communities based on research findings. The authors have mentioned ‘two’ specific research questions in the article: “RQ1. How can users be motivated to collaborate in OI communities? RQ2. What kind of tools and methods can support collaboration in OI communities?” More specifically, after reviewing the literature, the authors state that the purpose of this research is to pave way for increasing open innovation in the modern organizations. Summary The authors state that in the past, the companies followed the mass commodities rule to attract people to its product offerings by developing as many products as they can. However, with the increasingly stiff global competition, the same companies are now vying for innovation at an enhanced pace as well as mass customization of the products. These new innovators have understood the importance of the market intelligence in the new product development. Therefore, it has now become an important tool of the corporations. Retrospectively speaking, the authors say that the new product development has always been a closed loop work. It was initiated and completed by a few chosen people inside the company; but now, the loop has been broken due to this stiff competition in the market. The companies now involve the end users into the new product development. Nonetheless, single customer’s unique needs are not of much use to the company due to economic viability. The company needs to understand large customer product combinations. Hence, the company needs to motivate a collective creativity towards novelty. Past studies have shown that collaboration paves way for better creativity and efficiency in an organization. All the great ideas of the past have been found by individuals who shared their work with others for elaboration. The consumers’ opinion towards the new product is considered vital in this era; hence, the development of the open-intelligence portals. These portals act as intermediaries between the different market players – paving way for collective response to innovation. It is now believed that the investment in the OI systems is wastage without the understanding of the motivational factors. The company needs to understand these motivational factors in order to attract the users to the OI portals for their input. Based on their research work, the authors state that one of the most important motivating factors for active participation at online communities is the level of effect that participation has on the surrounding environment. Similarly, they found that recognition to the contributing person is considered another important motivating factor. This recognition in the community allows a person to develop a strong reputation among the peers as well as others. Likewise, monetary benefits are considered a strong motivating factor for active participation on the online portals. These rewards have a tangible effect on the amount of contributions made to the community. The authors mentioned that the companies around the world use several design tools and toolkits to invoke consumer interest in designing their own needs and wants. These collaborative tools could include configurations, choice boards, design systems, toolkits, or co-design platforms. These tools will allow the people to translate their demands into actual products. The whole focus of these tolls is on the ability of the interactive systems to communicate the information and knowledge between the different stakeholders. CrowdSpirit is an organization that focuses on development of electronic designs. This company allows the user to formulate their own designs as per their needs and get them manufactured through CrowdSpirit. The online portal of this company provides the user with collaboration toolkits as well as design tools to develop a design. It also allows consumers to comment and vote on different designs. Since most of the users on this portal are students, the main motivating factor behind their heavy participation was the sharing of knowledge and learning from other people. Fellow Force allows the people to provide solutions to innovative challenges occurring in different parts of the world. It provides an online forum for all the users to suggest solutions to the upcoming problems for which they are rewarded. The dream of collective creativity towards a challenge is realized through the ‘Innovate Us’ functionality of the online portal. The users could use the previous comments and build on a newer and better solution. Users were motivated by fame, fun and rewards for active participation on the portal. The findings of this research work showed that the collective work on online communities was fun, productive, efficient as well as creative. Therefore, it is believed that increased collaboration on online portals is necessary for enhanced innovativeness. However, there are challenges that need to be overcome for better collaboration on online communities. Scheduling, managing time and increasing cooperation between strangers will be some tough challenges. Similarly, in the past, only individuals have been rewarded for their creative work; therefore, it will be a challenge to reward groups equitably. Similarly, there is an increasing need for more collaborative tools such as real time discussion forums as well as web camera sessions. The users should have the feel of a virtual gathering around a table. Critical Analysis The authors of this article are well versed in open innovation with much experience and credentials to their name. These authors have used both the primary as well as the secondary sources to research on their findings. The article has been prudently written providing reasonable space to all the important factors. The answers to the two research questions, research methodology, the findings as well as the discussion have been thoroughly put forward in a strong and logical manner. However, the article discusses less on the second important research question which refers to the collaborative tools used in online communities. Likewise, the research was based on a limited base only. Conclusion I believe that the article has wisely stated its findings based on the research work. The authors have organized their work in a rational manner. Indirectly, I believe that they have provided the relevant market with the necessary information in order to increase the level of collaboration on online communities. References Chesbrough, H. W. (2006) Open innovation: the new imperative for creating and profiting from technology. Harvard Business Press. Antikainen, M. Makipaa, M. Ahonen, H. (2010) Motivating and Supporting Collaboration in Open Innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 13, 100-119 Read More