Collective Invention Research Articles

Non-linear maker pedagogy in Finnish craft education

This research explores the use of a non-linear maker pedagogy for implementing a major change in the Finnish national core curriculum. The latest curriculum change (2014) introduced so-called transversal competences, but also a major change for the subject of crafts: ‘multi-material’ crafts that involve former separately taught textile and technical crafts both now introduced to all pupils. These changes set the stage for in-service teacher training, as well as for pedagogical solutions, such as a non-linear maker pedagogy and closer collaboration between technical and textile craft teachers. A non-linear maker pedagogy refers to an approach combining several features: a shift from individual learning and solo teaching to collaborative knowledge-creating learning, opportunities for collective invention and improvisation, pupil-centred situated inquiry and the creation of artefacts that combine material and digital realms. In this collective case study, we interviewed six teachers who co-taught non-linear maker projects in six different schools. Through a qualitative content analysis, we identified successes and challenges regarding the use of a non-linear maker pedagogy, pupil collaboration and teaching digital skills through robotics and e-textiles. In the interviews, teachers reflected on their work mainly by describing their pupils’ accomplishments, reactions and learning. These reflections indicated similar challenges and successes, suggesting that the variation between pupils and pupil groups was larger than that between schools. Furthermore, we discuss whether the selected pedagogical approach was unduly ambitious. Despite all the challenges, most of the teachers expressed their commitment to developing their teaching practices along the lines of a non-linear maker pedagogy.Keywords: Co-teaching, Curriculum change, Digital skills, Non-linear maker pedagogy, Pupil-directed situated inquiry

Creating innovation capabilities for improving global health: Inventing technology for neglected tropical diseases in Brazil

Previous research on innovation capabilities in emerging economies shows knowledge networks tied to Western multinationals and national governments focused on economic growth. Less understood is the innovation capability building of emerging economies to achieve ‘good health’, an important Sustainable Development Goal. Here, we present a longitudinal study of a public research organization in an emerging economy and examine how it builds innovation capabilities for creating vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics for diseases primarily affecting the poor. We study FIOCRUZ in Brazil using archival, patent, and interview data about invention of technologies for neglected tropical diseases. We contribute novel insights into the evolution of knowledge networks, as national policy integrates innovation and health goals. We found significant diversification of local and foreign knowledge sources, and substantial creation of networks with public, private, and non-governmental organizations enabling collective invention. These R&D networks attract many multinationals to collaborate on socially driven innovation projects previously non-existent in their portfolios. The public research organization leads collaborations with multinationals and diverse partners, harnessing distributed international knowledge. Our results indicate emerging economies’ capabilities depend on elevating policies to increase health access for the poor to drive innovation and promoting local R&D to generate solutions to improve health.

Sweet Participation: The Evolution of Music as an Interactive Technology

Theories of music evolution rely on our understanding of what music is. Here, I argue that music is best conceptualized as an interactive technology, and propose a coevolutionary framework for its emergence. I present two basic models of attachment formation through behavioral alignment applicable to all forms of affiliative interaction and argue that the most critical distinguishing feature of music is entrained temporal coordination. Music's unique interactive strategy invites active participation and allows interactions to last longer, include more participants, and unify emotional states more effectively. Regarding its evolution, I propose that music, like language, evolved in a process of collective invention followed by genetic accommodation. I provide an outline of the initial evolutionary process which led to the emergence of music, centered on four key features: technology, shared intentionality, extended kinship, and multilevel society. Implications of this framework on music evolution, psychology, cross-species and cross-cultural research are discussed.

On optimal regimes of knowledge exchange: a model of recombinant growth and firm networks

The literature has documented two patterns of knowledge exchange: free sharing of knowledge and barter exchange. The former has been coined as collective invention, while the latter is observed in the form of R&D alliance. This study, for the first time, compares these two modes of cooperation in creating and diffusing new knowledge. Doing so, we take seriously the network character of knowledge and the skewed distribution of innovation size by proposing a novel model. In this model, knowledge is represented by distinct letters and words constructed thereof and accumulated by agents over time. Discovering new words agents recombine available knowledge pieces not randomly but following certain ideas, semi-definite structures on what words can be further constructed. We proceed by allocating agents in a network and allowing them to cooperate over direct ties either in a regime of collective invention or bilateral R&D alliances. We find networks with skewed degree distribution as most productive under R&D alliances and perfect IPR since they best concentrate scarce resources in discovering different knowledge combinations. In contrast, under collective invention and imperfect IPR, clustered networks better diffuse valuable ideas and knowledge resulting in the overall superior performance. Furthermore, under imperfect IPR, collective invention raises the inequality in payoffs among agents in networks with skewed degree distribution but reduces it for clustered topologies. The latter brings a novel explanation on why industries in the past have experienced a shift in the dominant pattern of knowledge exchange.

L’invenzione della Sirena: miti marini e figurazioni alate nella storia immaginaria del Mediterraneo

La sirena è uno dei miti mediterranei più proficui tanto in letteratura come nelle arti. Macro-categoria culturale che “spiegava” un’esperienza del reale, il mito della sirena si è talmente trasformato durante i secoli e le culture da parodiare o mantenere appena tenuemente il legame con il celebre episodio omerico. Magritte, ne “L’invention collective”, raffigurando una creatura che avrebbe potuto far parte della zoologia fantastica di Borges e Guerrero, presenta all’osservatore, una sirena “al rovescio”. Significativamente fuori dall’acqua, la sirena ha gambe umane, femminili e il resto del corpo di un pesce. Già Diderot, nei suoi “Pensées détachées”, aveva riferito dell’orrore provocato da una sirena rovesciata. Le sirene, ad eccezione della nomenclatura di alcuni mammiferi marini, non esistono. Tuttavia, come suggerisce Agamben parlando delle “Ninfe”, esse sono « reali », poiché rappresentano, come si evince dal titolo del quadro di Magritte, un’« invenzione collettiva », cioè un concetto costruito per dimostrare l’origine di aspetti misteriosi della realtà. L’invenzione “collettiva” del mito della sirena, come Diderot e Magritte avevano osservato, rappresenta un rovesciamento della narrazione mitologica. Nella prospettiva inaugurata da Diderot e Magritte, e attraverso esempi tratti da opere di Giraudoux, Tanizaki e D’Arrigo, intuiamo che la modernità del mito della sirena risieda nell’ambiguità e dualità della sua figura a metà.

Has the Promise of the Internet Been Realized? Internet Access and Collective Invention among Independent and Organizational Patent Inventors

The Internet provides individuals with new avenues for knowledge sharing and collaboration, two key ingredients for the production of novelty. Despite the unprecedented access to information and potential collaborators provided by the Internet, however, organizations remain the preeminent site of invention, presumably due to the tremendous resources, technology, and expertise at their disposal. Given the presumption that improved access to the Internet cultivates connectivity and novelty among individuals, on one hand, and the resources organizations can leverage to create novelty, on the other hand, we ask whether Internet access plays a role in the incidence of collective invention for independent inventors and organizational inventors in the knowledge economy. Regression models based on a sample of metropolitan areas in the United States predict that increases in household Internet access increases collective invention for organizational patent inventors, but not independent patent inventors.

Inventare una lingua segreta in classe: consapevolezza metalinguistica e apprendimento L2

The invention of a secret language in the classroom Metalinguistic awareness and L2 learning Within the context of the Montessori School of Milan (Italy, via Milazzo) there is an innovative language laboratory held over two school years (pupils’ age: 9-11). The main goal of this laboratory is to foster pupil’s metalinguistic awareness, through the collective invention of a secret language belonging to all class members, with the help of researchers and teachers. Usually, languages are invented for artistic purposes − such as Star Trek Klingon − or for international communication, as was the case with Esperanto. It is less common to invent languages for didactic purposes. In this laboratory, every class invents its own secret language starting from the phonetic space until idioms and translation, passing through morphology and syntax. A lot of attention is paid to the language of instruction, i.e. Italian, by contrast: the invented language should be different enough from Italian in order to guarantee secrecy. The presence of many pupils belonging to families speaking at home languages different from Italian shows how the process of invention permits them to dramatically improve their competence in Italian being an L2 in a fun way, especially by writing bilingual texts Italian-secret language.

Simulation of Weak Signals of Nanotechnology Innovation in Complex System

It is especially indispensable for new businesses or industries to predict the innovation of new technologies. This requires an understanding of how the complex process of innovation, which is accomplished through more efficient products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas, is adopted and diffused in the market, government, and society. Furthermore, detecting “weak signals” (signs) of change in science and technology (S&T) is also important to foretell events associated with innovations in technology. Thus, we explore the dynamic behavior of weak signals of a specific technological innovation using the agent-based simulating tool NetLogo. This study provides a deeper understanding of the early stages of complex technology innovation, and the models are capable of analyzing initial complex interaction structures between components of technologies and between agents engaged in collective invention.

Open-source projects as incubators of innovation: From niche phenomenon to integral part of the industry

Over the last 20 years, open-source development has become an integral part of the software industry. Against this backdrop, this article seeks to develop a systematic overview of open-source communities and their socio-economic contexts. I begin with a reconstruction of the genesis of open-source software projects and their changing relationships to established information technology companies. This is followed by the identification of four ideal-type variants of current open-source projects that differ significantly in their modes of coordination and the degree of corporate involvement. Further, I examine why open-source projects lost their subversive connotations while, in contrast to former cases of collective invention, remaining viable beyond the initial phase of innovation.

Open Source Projects as Incubators of Innovation: From Niche Phenomenon to Integral Part of the Software Industry

Over the last 20 years, open source development has become an integral part of the software industry and a key component of the innovation strategies of all major IT providers. Against this backdrop, this paper seeks to develop a systematic overview of open source communities and their socio-economic contexts. I begin with a reconstruction of the genesis of open source software projects and their changing relationships to established IT companies. This is followed by the identification of four ideal-typical variants of current open source projects that differ significantly in their modes of coordination and the degree of corporate involvement. Further, I examine why open source projects have mainly lost their subversive potential while, in contrast to former cases of collective invention, remaining viable beyond the emergence of predominant solutions and their commercial exploitation: In an industry that is characterized by very short innovation cycles, open source projects have proven to be important incubators for new product lines and branch-defining infrastructures. They do not compete against classical forms of production but instead complement and expand these.

From experience to imagination: Language and its evolution as a social communication technology

Abstract In this paper, I present a new general hypothesis concerning the origin and evolutionary development of human language and its speakers. The hypothesis is based on the theory of language I develop in Dor (2015): language should be properly understood as a social communication technology of a very particular type, collectively constructed for the specific function of the instruction of imagination . The hypothesis, then, runs as follows: pre-linguistic humans (most probably Homo erectus) developed their culture and their pre-linguistic communication to the point where the collective invention of language became both necessary and possible. The moment of the origin consisted of no more than exploratory attempts to use what had already been achieved to go into the realm of the instruction of imagination. When the new function began to show its potential, a developmental process was launched that was directly driven throughout by the constant pressure to raise the levels of collective success in instructive communication. Throughout the process, individuals were selected for their ability to meet the challenges of the emerging technology, and the required capacities were (partially and variably) genetically accommodated. Homo sapiens, an imaginative species adapted for fast speech, and maybe our sisters species too, eventually emerged from the collectively-driven process with unique adaptations to language.

Learning regions as a framework for innovation policy: A review of the issues

Much of the contemporary discussion of innovation and learning assumes that knowledge sharing is more likely to occur between physically proximate parties than among those who are geographically remote from each other. The importance of localised learning forms part of the claim for the existence of regional innovation systems or learning regions. This review identifi es how the importance of localised learning relies on assumptions about the forms of knowledge transmission, the relative importance of diff erent types of knowledge and the role of workers as knowledge bearers. It argues that theories of localised learning imply that knowledge is transferred independent of business transactions, that knowledge is a public good and that knowledge is most effectively transferred through face-to-face interaction. These assumptions contrast with changes that have occurred in the organisation of economic activity. Drawing on the concept of collective invention, it is suggested that localised learning may occur when there is a high level of technological uncertainty.

Music as Collective Invention: A Social Network Analysis of Composers

Composers generally write music alone, and we commonly understand the great figures of classical music as singular geniuses. Even where composers’ social networks and friendships are of contextual interest, it is arguable that their association with other musicians arises because they choose to socialize with similar others. However, it is also possible that creative work, even for artists as solitary as composers, depends significantly on interaction and collaboration. Certain periods and places are considered hotspots of creativity where new musical ideas are shared and movements arise. In this paper we consider the case of British classical composition, both as an example of a music network, and to contribute to debates in music history.

Are You Open?

Résumé Cet article s’interroge sur la signification et l’importance du concept d’ « ouverture » lorsqu’il est appliqué au processus de production de connaissances. Nous proposons deux définitions d’une innovation ou technologie ouverte : une forte et une faible. Le point commun entre les deux est qu’elles soulignent chacune l’importance des conditions d’accès à la connaissance produite : une connaissance est ouverte lorsqu’elle est rendue disponible à tous, sous des conditions à la fois non discrétionnaires et raisonnables. Notre définition permet ainsi de mettre en avant la différence entre ouverture et gratuité : une technologie peut être considérée comme ouverte même si elle est payante. De surcroît, cette définition permet également d’établir une distinction claire entre le concept d’innovation ouverte à la Chesbrough [2003], qui ne satisfait pas nos conditions d’ouverture, et les concepts d’invention collective (Allen [1983]; Nuvolari [2004]) et, plus généralement, de modèles de production de connaissances dits « open source », qui les satisfont. Nous terminons en discutant des implications managériales et politiques de notre recherche. JEL Code: O34

A pesquisa de enfermagem e a qualificação da assistência: algumas reflexões

A pesquisa de enfermagem e a qualificação da assistência: algumas reflexões

Open innovation and co-operation: which choice of means of protection for innovation?

Chesbrough’s (2003) open innovation model incites firms to use more and more external sources to improve their innovation process. However, how can firms benefit from their investments in knowledge in such cases of collective invention? Chesbrough’s innovation model deals very little with this issue, especially in the case of co-operation for innovation. Chesbrough’s model on openness leans on case studies of large firms. However, at the moment, scholars have hardly studied the hypothesis of the model on a quantitative basis.The study explores intellectual property strategies of French industrial firms to test the hypothesis of Chesbrough’s model on a quantitatively basis. We use the data of the community innovation survey (CIS3) for the period 1998-2000. The survey concerns all French firms of more of 20 employees. Then we use a logit model. One main result can be observed: firms do not use the open innovation model strategy. That is to say they do not use less means of protection when they co-operate. On the contrary, they use more means of protection in this case. Moreover, the model predicts that firms would use less secrecy as a means of protection. We obtain the opposite result. Secrecy is correlated with 3 different kinds of partners of co-operation. In addition, firms use various means of protection in a complementary way. This point reduces the predictions of the open innovation model.JEL Codes: O31, O34, L60

Briefing: Initial findings from the Urba project

This briefing describes the research project The Future Concepts of Urban Housing (Urba), which was initiated in 2007 to develop new ideas, concepts and cooperative practices for Urban housing in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The area suffers from Urban sprawl, soaring prices and a lack of feasible and attractive housing alternatives as a result of the narrow and inflexible housing market. Moreover, the housing sector suffers from a lack of cooperation. Urba is a multi-disciplinary research project that brings together a wide range of stakeholders and actors in the housing sector. The first phase of the project has produced an initial selection of promising Urban housing concepts that will serve as the basis for the development phase. The development phase is structured in the form of a collective learning and invention process that involves a wide group of participants from the housing sector.

Free revealing in open innovation: a comparison of different models and their benefits for companies

In open innovation processes, free-revealing of information has proliferated in the wake of distributed electronic communication systems. Many scholars have coined a multitude of concepts to explain this free-revealing phenomenon and to develop models of organising innovation based on it. These models are partly overlapping, partly exclusive, and partly encompassing. In an extensive literature review, we identify five such concepts and research streams: collective invention, user innovation networks, commons-based peer production, crowdsourcing and open-source innovation. We compare and contrast these models along several dimensions. We present an integrative perspective on the five models and derive implications for research and practice.

The emergence of the Internet: collective invention and wild ducks

How and why did the Internet accumulate so many valuable improvements during the era of US-government sponsorship? The essay interprets the creation of the Internet through the lens of collective invention, focusing attention on the institutional factors that shaped the aspirations of participants and that constrained the realization of those aspirations. The analysis provides insight about why the technology developed beyond its prototype status, and extended the Internet to new users or uses, especially nontechnical users. The essay features the development of email as an illustration. Copyright 2010 The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Associazione ICC. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.

Journalism as Permanent and Collective Invention

Thinking of journalism in new ways should be free of any form of essentialism. Journalism is a social reality which has been developed historically and is therefore evolutional; it is a permanent construction; journalism has been established over time, it transforms itself and already is no longer what it was and we cannot imagine what it will become. Journalism is also an area for multiple interactions which are necessarily complex; its perception cannot be reduced to those whom a process has appointed professional journalists; there are many other actors who are involved in producing information.