The governance of inter-firm co-development projects in an open innovation setting

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
Emerald
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
en
Date
2016
Authors
Biswas S
Akroyd, Chris
Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the governance of inter-firm co-development in an open innovation setting and show how a stage-gate product development process can be used to support this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopt a qualitative case-study approach informed by ethnomethodology. Data were obtained via semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Findings: They found that in an open innovation setting – where the producing partner relies on a research partner for all product development activities – a stage-gate product development process can act as a governance mechanism, as it enables the development of trust and cooperation which supports the co-development relationship. Research limitations/implications: The implication of this finding is that a stage-gate process can be a flexible governance mechanism, which can adapt over time in relation to the needs of the co-development partners in an open innovation setting. This also lays the groundwork for future research to explore the applicability of this tool in other settings, e.g. outsourcing arrangements as well as help guide the design and implementation of future governance mechanisms. Originality/value: In the context of accounting research, this paper helps practitioners and academics understand how a stage-gate process can be used as a governance mechanism to manage and control co-development projects in an open innovation setting.

Description
Citation
Biswas S, Akroyd C (2016). The governance of inter-firm co-development projects in an open innovation setting. Pacific Accounting Review. 28(4). 446-457.
Keywords
Governance, Open Innovation, Co-development, Stage-gate
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
1501 Accounting, Auditing and Accountability
Fields of Research::35 - Commerce, management, tourism and services::3507 - Strategy, management and organisational behaviour::350701 - Corporate governance
Fields of Research::35 - Commerce, management, tourism and services::3507 - Strategy, management and organisational behaviour::350705 - Innovation management
Fields of Research::35 - Commerce, management, tourism and services::3501 - Accounting, auditing and accountability::350105 - Management accounting
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise stated