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Explicating the role of innovation intermediaries in the 'unknown': a contingency approach

Author

Listed:
  • Marine Agogué

    (HEC Montréal - HEC Montréal)

  • Elsa Berthet

    (INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique)

  • Tobias Fredberg

    (Management of Organizational Renewal and Entrepreneurship - Chalmers University of Technology [Göteborg])

  • Pascal Le Masson

    (CGS i3 - Centre de Gestion Scientifique i3 - Mines Paris - PSL (École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris) - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - I3 - Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Blanche Segrestin

    (CGS i3 - Centre de Gestion Scientifique i3 - Mines Paris - PSL (École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris) - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - I3 - Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Martin Stoetzel

    (Chair of Information Systems III - FAU - Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg = University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Martin Wiener

    (ZAE Bayern - Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research)

  • Anna Yström

    (Management of Organizational Renewal and Entrepreneurship - Chalmers University of Technology [Göteborg])

Abstract

Purpose – Innovation intermediaries have become key actors in open innovation (OI) contexts. Research has improved the understanding of the managerial challenges inherent to intermediation in situations in which problems are rather well defined. Yet, in some OI situations, the relevant actor networks may not be known, there may be no clear common interest, or severe problems may exist with no legitimate common place where they can be discussed. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the research on innovation intermediaries by showing how intermediaries address managerial challenges related to a high degree of unknown. Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw upon the extant literature to highlight the common core functions of different types of intermediaries. The authors then introduce the " degree of unknown " as a new contingency variable for the analysis of the role of intermediaries for each of these core functions. The authors illustrate the importance of this new variable with four empirical case studies in different industries and countries in which intermediaries are experiencing situations of high level of unknown. Findings – The authors highlight the specific managerial principles that the four intermediaries applied in creating an environment for collective innovation. Originality/value – Thereby, the authors clarify what intermediation in the unknown may entail.

Suggested Citation

  • Marine Agogué & Elsa Berthet & Tobias Fredberg & Pascal Le Masson & Blanche Segrestin & Martin Stoetzel & Martin Wiener & Anna Yström, 2017. "Explicating the role of innovation intermediaries in the 'unknown': a contingency approach," Post-Print hal-01481878, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01481878
    DOI: 10.1108/JSMA-01-2015-0005
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://minesparis-psl.hal.science/hal-01481878
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    9. Bergek, Anna & Jacobsson, Staffan & Carlsson, Bo & Lindmark, Sven & Rickne, Annika, 2008. "Analyzing the functional dynamics of technological innovation systems: A scheme of analysis," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 407-429, April.
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    13. Armand Hatchuel & Ken Starkey & Sue Tempest & Pascal Le Masson, 2010. "Strategy as innovative design : an emerging perspective," Post-Print hal-00509557, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Caloffi, Annalisa & Colovic, Ana & Rizzoli, Valentina & Rossi, Federica, 2023. "Innovation intermediaries' types and functions: A computational analysis of the literature," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Héloïse Berkowitz & Antoine Souchaud, 2024. "Filling successive technologically-induced governance gaps: meta-organizations as regulatory innovation intermediaries," Post-Print hal-04228083, HAL.
    3. Chamaret, Cécile & Steyer, Véronique & Mayer, Julie C., 2020. "“Hands off my meter!” when municipalities resist smart meters: Linking arguments and degrees of resistance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    4. Noack, Anika & Jacobsen, Heike, 2021. "Transfer scouts: from intermediation to co-constructors of new knowledge and technologies in Germany," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(4).
    5. Maxime Thomas & Pascal Le Masson & Benoit Weil, 2017. "Why is Business Model Innovation so poorly innovative ? Uncovering the critical role of collaborative design in Business Model Innovation," Post-Print hal-01499143, HAL.
    6. Smith, Göran & Sochor, Jana & Karlsson, I.C. MariAnne, 2020. "Intermediary MaaS Integrators: A case study on hopes and fears," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 163-177.
    7. Agathe Gilain & Pascal Le Masson & Benoit Weil & Nafissa Jibet & Patrice Aknin & Alexandre Bekhradi & Paul Labrogere, 2022. "Strengthening the generative power of a scientific and industrial ecosystem: the case of the SystemX Institute for Technological Research (IRT), a "double impact Research and Technology Organizat," Post-Print hal-03686580, HAL.
    8. Conroy, Kieran M. & Jacobs, Simon & Liu, Yang, 2023. "The dual knowledge role of open innovation intermediaries: Internal weaving and external filtering for MNE subsidiaries," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    9. Kreiling, Laura & Serval, Sarah & Peres, Raphaële & Bounfour, Ahmed, 2020. "University technology transfer organizations: Roles adopted in response to their regional innovation system stakeholders," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 218-229.
    10. Laura Kreiling & Ahmed Bounfour, 2020. "A practice-based maturity model for holistic TTO performance management: development and initial use," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(6), pages 1718-1747, December.
    11. Berthet, Elsa T. & Hickey, Gordon M., 2018. "Organizing collective innovation in support of sustainable agro-ecosystems: The role of network management," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 44-54.
    12. Delorme, Donatienne, 2023. "The role of proximity in the design of innovation intermediaries' business models," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    13. Song, Haoyang & Hou, Jianhua & Zhang, Yang, 2022. "Catalytic capacity of technological innovation: Multidimensional definition and measurement from the perspective of knowledge spillover," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    14. Rossi, Federica & Caloffi, Annalisa & Colovic, Ana & Russo, Margherita, 2022. "New business models for public innovation intermediaries supporting emerging innovation systems: The case of the Internet of Things," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    15. Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Belso-Martinez, Jose Antonio & Díez-Vial, Isabel, 2021. "Playing the innovation subsidy game: experience, clusters, consultancy, and networking in regional innovation support," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 111603, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation management; Innovation intermediaries; Degree of unknown; Open innovation; Collaborative innovation;
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