Open innovation in large organizations : A multicase analysis of multinational Swedish companies

Abstract: This study analyzes open innovation in large multinational organizations. The study has been applied to four organizations to examine how they work with open innovation in innovation networks. The purpose of this study is to render a knowledge inventory on experiences of an open innovation approach, with an emphasis on innovation networks, among product developing enterprises within different branches. The theoretical part and empirical outcomes of the study touch upon models and methods of using open innovation. The three main theoretical models are innovation networks, partnering and ecosystems. The study is a multicase analysis which builds on the experiences of four large anonymous organizations within different branches and fields. The experience-based knowledge of this essay is drawing on material from semi-structured interviews with twelve anonymous respondents, two from each organization. The conclusions of this study show that one of the most important parts in innovation cooperation is to be able to harness relationships because relations are quintessential in an open cooperation for either the success or failure of said cooperation. All organizations have differences and there exists no original blueprint in exactly how a company should work with innovation as they must adapt the open innovation strategy to the companies’ needs and organization culture. The study has found eight concrete points in how companies’ can succeed with open innovation cooperation.