The reverse tragedy of the commons: an exploratory account of incentives for under-exploitation in an open innovation environment*. Issue 3 (4th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Piirainen, Kalle A.; Raivio, Tuomas; Lähteenmäki-Smith, Kaisa; Alkaersig, Lars; Li-Ying, Jason
• Is Part Of: Technology analysis & strategic management. Volume 30:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2018-03-04
• Subjects: Open innovation -- incentives -- first-mover advantage -- tragedy of the commons -- appropriability conditions; Technological innovations -- Management -- Periodicals; Research, Industrial -- Management -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Management -- Periodicals; Strategic planning -- Periodicals; 658.401205
• DOI: 10.1080/09537325.2017.1308479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-7325

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper presents an empirical account of a phenomenon that we refer to as the 'reverse tragedy of the commons' in open innovation. The name signifies the 'under-exploitation' of intellectual property (IP) under weak appropriability. The name is this graphic because the tragedy is costly, and can also render IP effectively worthless and block innovation in the short to medium term. We propose that the tragedy is borne out of the interaction between enterprise characteristics, a competitive setting and the framework that is set by the policy intervention. This finding is pertinent to policy-makers with regard to the design of research, development and innovation instruments, as well as managers who must determine how to implement open practices in innovation.