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Development of an Innovation Ecosystem in a Fast-Paced Economic Environment: The Case of the Vodafone Open Innovation Program

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Entrepreneurial, Innovative and Sustainable Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Applying Quality of Life Research ((BEPR))

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Abstract

Many companies experience a blurring of traditional industry boundaries. This challenge forces companies from various industries to look for alternative ways toward being innovative. One approach is to start initiatives for multi-cross-industry innovations. These cross-industry activities may lead to the development of new innovation ecosystems. In this context, I pose the central research question: By what kind of organizational framework are initiatives for multi-cross-industry innovation supported, and how can companies utilize this approach for the generation of new innovation ecosystems?

Following this research question, I conduct an in-depth case study of the Vodafone Open Innovation Program which can be characterized as a multi-cross-industry innovation network of the Vodafone GmbH. I present the organizational model of the Vodafone Open Innovation Program and show key characteristics of the case, before I establish that multi-cross-industry activities may lead to the generation of new innovation ecosystems. In this context, the structured approach of the entire program and the staged intellectual property rights mechanism will especially be highlighted as key characteristics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Project Management and Innovation, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Alexander Kerl

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  1. Alexander Kerl
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Correspondence to Alexander Kerl .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management and Economics, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    João Leitão

  2. Department of Management and Economics, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    Helena Alves

  3. Center for Global Business Research, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

    Norris Krueger

  4. Green Mountain College, Poultney, Vermont, USA

    Jacob Park

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Kerl, A. (2018). Development of an Innovation Ecosystem in a Fast-Paced Economic Environment: The Case of the Vodafone Open Innovation Program. In: Leitão, J., Alves, H., Krueger, N., Park, J. (eds) Entrepreneurial, Innovative and Sustainable Ecosystems. Applying Quality of Life Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71014-3_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71014-3_15

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