Orchestrating an Open Innovation Ecosystem in low-tech industries: the case of Barilla's Blu1877

The study explores Open Innovation practices adopted by large firms in low- and medium-technology industries to foster innovation when the integration of distant knowledge from far scientific and technological fields is required. The study performs an explanatory single case study methodology. It fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inTechnology analysis & strategic management Vol. 36; no. 11; pp. 3712 - 3727
Main Authors Marozzo, Veronica, Abbate, Tindara, Cesaroni, Fabrizio, Crupi, Antonio, Di Minin, Alberto
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 01.11.2024
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Barilla's Blu1877
Food
food industry
Innovations
Knowledge management
Open Innovation
Open Innovation Ecosystem
Organizational aspects
Single case studies
Technological change
Technology
Venture capital
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Summary:The study explores Open Innovation practices adopted by large firms in low- and medium-technology industries to foster innovation when the integration of distant knowledge from far scientific and technological fields is required. The study performs an explanatory single case study methodology. It focuses on the Italian food producer Barilla and its Blu1877 corporate venture capital fund to explore innovations in the food and agri-tech domains. It emerges that, with the intent to create and orchestrate an Open Innovation Ecosystem, Barilla moves across two main trajectories: (i) the search for external knowledge and expansion of network for new markets and technology exploration, and (ii) the support and mentorship of innovative start-ups that explore and develop novel ideas and technologies. The resulting Open Innovation Ecosystem has become the locus where innovations are developed by sharing knowledge, competencies, and capabilities among diverse actors and where companies can promote a transition toward the opening of their organisational boundaries.
ISSN:0953-7325
1465-3990
DOI:10.1080/09537325.2023.2222182