Digital Technologies for Accelerating Engagement of Newborn Firms Within an Open Innovation Ecosystem

This study investigates how digital technologies support firms to accelerate engagement in the open innovation ecosystem. The current research examined how digital technology supports companies in pursuing efficiency, collaboration, and support marketing. In addition, the majority of research was conducted in well-settled firms. However, how the technologies support a newborn firm to engage in open innovation has never been observed; this is the focus of this research. Due to the exploratory nature of the research question, this study uses a single-case study design with a qualitative approach. The case study firm operates in molding industry and utilizes digital technology to support its engagement with actors in the ecosystem. The analysis results demonstrate that digital technology supports the case study firm to accelerate the value stream between the firms and the ecosystem. One of the critical factors in successful engagement is a clear value proposition from the focal firm, which allows ecosystem participants to benefit from collaboration. However, this research does not analyze which activities contribute most significantly to the benefit. Future research could identify which activities contribute most to the value stream, allowing managers to prioritize them.