A pilot case study of open innovation in a Brazilian company

Open innovation represents a powerful competitive aspect not only in developed countries but also in emerging economies. In this context, this paper aims at demonstrating some aspects of the introduction of an open innovation program in a company in Brazil. A unit of analysis that produces cosmetics was selected due to its practices of innovation management, which is considered as a benchmark in the country. Case-based research was used as the methodological approach. Data were collected mostly by document analysis but some questions were answered by electronic mail to construct a case description. The company performs activities related to scientific and technological as well as market knowledge. The organization applies the concept of open innovation since the 90’s and has increased its activity since then. This paper describes the open innovation program and discusses aspects of drivers and success factors for external collaborations. Results show that an infra-structure for innovation in addition to the initiatives of open innovation support company performance. There are also multiple ways of collaborations such as cooperation, co-creation, co-design, services, consulting, financing, etc. Conclusively, the results have found ground to the existing literature in the subject at some exten