Innovation Communication as an Integrative Management Capability in Digital Innovation Ecosystems

Dynamics in communication and innovation environments, such as new online communication channels, new corporate innovation tools, and access to and availability of information via digital technologies world-wide, are catalysts for the expanding interest of communication as an underpinning success factor in innovation management. From a theoretical perspective, the literature, however, has not fully acknowledged management of innovation communication as a new management function in corporate communication and has fallen short of comprehensively explaining the How? of managing innovation communication as a strategic capability for effective idea generation to idea conversion in the open innovation economy. This chapter provides a new approach: Innovation communication as an integrative management capability from a strategic management perspective. After presenting a literature review on communicating innovations and corporate communication management, a new understanding of innovation communication as a dynamic capability from in corporate communication management research is provided. Second, the direct and indirect effects of innovation communication—as an integrative management capability—on company value are illustrated and propositions are set up to further develop theory. Finally, a conclusion provides implications and a brief outlook on future research directions.