Creating Employee Networks That Deliver Open Innovation Case Solution And Analysis, HBR Case Study Solution & Analysis of Harvard Case Studies

Businesses for example Procter & Gamble, Cisco Systems, Genzyme, General Electric and Intel are frequently credited with having attained market leadership through innovation strategies that were open. By tapping into and exploiting the technological knowledge that resided beyond their own R&D constructions, these firms were outmaneuvered by competitors. Meanwhile other organizations attempt to follow along with their example, this research reveals that many are failing since they fail to ensure that the notions that are outdoor reach the people best equipped to use them. R&D leaders need to think not only the outside world for new and thoughts but appropriate potentially also about how to ensure that those idea is received. By understanding the functions of two forms of invention brokers -"notion scouts" and "thought connectors"- in the open innovation process, and by utilizing their talents effectively, managers can preside over major advancements in the conversion of external knowledge into successful results.

The authors provide numerous examples, pointing out that success at innovation that is open depends on the presence of both forms of innovation brokers. But despite these innovation brokers' importance to the organization, the people that connectors erupted as idea scouts frequently came across to management as a complete surprise. Invention is too significant to be left to chance.

PUBLICATION DATE: October 01, 2011 PRODUCT #: SMR399-PDF-ENG

This is just an excerpt. This case is about LEADERSHIP & MANAGING PEOPLE.