Cheeni: A Case of Inside-Out Innovation Approach to IT Applications

Abstract

Innovative information technology applications have often emerged from experts who envision technology fit with business applications. Technology scan, fit and forecast exercises are not uncommon when conducted by IT managers in organizations. But such exercises are rarely conducted by technology users. Inside-out innovation approach to IT applications suggests the need to place young, enthusiastic, brightsparks in areas where IT may have strategic potential, typically boundary-spanning activities. Given potential generic technologies to experiment, the time to innovate, the resources and funds to foster innovations, such brightsparks may envision and create applications that can draw from external sources such as suppliers and customers. Applications created in such organizations can then be suitably identified, prioritized and institutionalized. One such case is that of Cheeni, an Indian sugar manufacturing firm which experienced the need for an innovative IT application. Cheeni's IT department designed and developed a tool in collaboration with cane inspectors, whose role is to monitor the growth of cane in farms under their supervision and capture this data. Rapid adoption of the handhelds and use of the tool by cane inspectors resulted in significant improvement in time taken for various farming related activities and monitoring of cane production in the farm sites. The company is further strengthening the system by providing text services and is contemplating extending the implementation to multiple sites. This paper demonstrates the inside-out innovation approach to IT Applications using Cheeni as a case in point. Lessons for practitioners and implications for researchers in the area are also discussed.