Integrating knowledge in open innovation

New challenges are created in a world of widely distributed knowledge, ideas and technologies. Facing global technological advances, organisations cannot afford to entirely rely on internal knowledge. Rather, they need to combine external and internal knowledge to quickly create and commercialise successful innovations.

The integration of knowledge in inbound open innovation is studied in an ongoing research project, financed by Riksbankens Jubileum foundation. The project focusses on open innovation practices related to knowledge integration, knowledge governance procedures for open innovation, knowledge integration throughout the phases of open innovation processes, etc. The project results on mixed methods research including quantitative survey studies and qualitative case studies.

Project manager: Nicolette Lakemond
Project members: Henry Lopez Vega, Fredrik Tell, Lars Bengtsson

Collaborative innovation with customers and suppliers

Customers and suppliers have been identified as important sources of knowledge in innovation processes. But how can firms capture customer and supplier knowledge in an effective way?
My research in this area focusses on the interactive practices of collaborative innovation and strategies for knowledge integration with customers and suppliers. The research builds on case studies of firms providing complex products and systems, for instance SKF, Sandvik, Ericsson, ABB, Haldex, and Elekta. The research team consists of   me and three PhD students, David osell, Mohammad Eslami, and Lisa Melander (PhD 2014).

Collaborative innovation capabilities in complex product systems development

The development of complex product systems requires specific capabilities related to innovation and collaboration in a network of partners. A crucial factor for complex products is related to systems engineering and systems integration. This requires innovative organisational structures and administrative processes as well as increasingly collaborative capabilities for the lead integrator, suppliers and users.

My research in this area focusses on how firms with traditionally strong internal innovation capabilities have implemented collaborative innovation capabilities. The project is performed in collaboration with Saab and its partners. The research is performed in collaboration with PhD student Adalberto Franca and adjunct professor Gunnar Holmberg. 

Teaching activities

In addition to my research activities, it is a great inspiration to meet students in undergraduate and graduate courses. The students' curiosity and their search for knowledge is a source of joy and development. My teaching is interactive, even in lectures with many students. I try to inspire students to learn by challenging their thoughts about real-life problems and challenges, and by using theoretical modells, existing practices and research findings.

I participate in undergraduate courses focussing on:

• Leadership
• Organisational change
• Innovation management
• Project management
• Organisation theory/Industrial management

I am also involved in executive teaching and sometimes have guest lectures at other universities.