Collaboration for innovation: network processes and capabilities

Network innovation management is widely considered to be like a black box; where the inputs and the outputs/outcomes are measured with limited attempts to understand how the black box operates (network processes). The trend towards Open Innovation has brought with it major managerial challenges because of its complexity. Consequently, the markets for technology have remained rather inefficient. In contrast with the Open Innovation success stories, many businesses fail to profit from open innovation. We propose that insights into innovation network processes and the skills/capabilities needed to manage the network (orchestration) will fundamentally help improve Open Innovation, and consequently business and performance. We found that orchestrators manage eight network processes and extended the skills and capabilities needed for three network processes to a model of eight