Collaborative and open innovation: supply chain planning as an effective source. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mukundan, Rajeev; Thomas, Sam
• Is Part Of: International journal of Indian culture and business management. Volume 12:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: sales and operations planning -- S&amp -- #38 -- OP -- open innovation -- supply chain collaboration -- inter-departmental collaboration -- collaborative innovation -- supply chain management -- SCM -- supply chain planning -- supply chain managers -- innovation champions -- top management; Management -- India -- Periodicals; Management; India; Periodicals; 658.0095405
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-0806

Abstract

The importance of innovation to business is well-recognised. Collaborations, both internal to the firm and external, are a main source of innovation in firms. Inter-departmental collaboration is an important driver of innovation, while external collaboration facilitates open innovation. Building a collaborative network exclusively to achieve innovation can be expensive. Supply chain management in firms requires both inter-departmental collaboration, and external collaboration with other firms in the supply chain. This paper investigates whether this collaboration can be harnessed to generate innovations. Through conceptual arguments, the paper concludes that firms stand to gain in their innovation efforts by leveraging the supply chain collaborations. To achieve this, alignment of supply chain managers with innovation champions in the firm has to be facilitated and supported by the top management. While potential cost savings can be realised by leveraging existing supply chain relationships, other practical implications have also been outlined. Continued empirical studies are suggested to further evolve this stream of research.