Exactitude

In this chapter, we refer to Paul Carlile’s framework of knowledge management across boundaries in innovation processes. We start from the fact that the variety of actors—e.g., research centres, universities, firms—involved in innovation processes use different languages and jargons, their decisions and actions are informed by different and oftentimes diverging interests that may lead to misalignments, mismatches, misunderstandings, and therefore delays and eventually failures of innovation. We elaborate on the importance of developing a common lexicon and—ideally—a common ‘syntax of action’ also via the use of collaborative tools to enable smoother interactions amongst innovations actors.