The Uses and Risks of Open Innovation

Abstract

OVERVIEW:Current approaches to open innovation can be characterized in two general categories: open-boundary innovation and open-source innovation. Open-boundary innovation is designed to source new technology and concepts broadly without surrendering control of the innovation process, while open-source innovation is a more radical model that challenges fundamental assumptions about the nature of the corporation. The appropriate corporate response to open-source innovation is difficult to define, as the risks are unknown. However, as open-source movements gather steam, corporate innovators will need to consider whether and how to approach open-source innovation.