Business models for academic prototypes: A new approach to media innovation

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of academic prototypes, and shows how they can lead to technological innovation in journalism. We propose an innovation method that transforms a value-oriented academic prototype into a market-oriented journalistic service. The principles for product development presented here are based on the lean startup method as well as business model canvassing. A prototype scenario shows how the locative information app PediaCloud could be transformed into a locative news service for a regional newspaper in Western Norway. Ideally, the academic prototype will be transformed into a novel and engaging way of reading news stories, and a profitable solution for the newspaper. Realistically, the team will have acquired empirical validation of the business model's strong and weak points. In the conclusion, we summarize the utility of the approach for validated learning, and make recommendations for further research on innovation with academic prototypes.

Digital media innovations through participatory action research: Interventions for digital place-based experiences

“…Within media and communication studies, for example, participatory action research is considered to contribute a useful approach to the study of media, allowing researchers to capture nonlinear processes, work in an interdisciplinary manner, as well as research ongoing phenomena (Wagemans & Witschge, 2019). Action research has been used to conduct research within the development of media, media practices, and design and communication processes: in and with media organisations (e.g., Buschow, 2020;Deuze & Witschge, 2020;Morlandstø, 2019;Nyre et al, 2018) and in community and social development for empowerment to provoke social change (see, e.g., Löwgren & Reimer, 2013;Shea, 2012). Action research therefore coincides with an underlying aspect of media and communication studies: media is central to a democratic society and a key tool for civic action and debate (Tufte, 2017).…”

Digital Innovation During Terror and Crises

“…Currently, studies of innovation via interdisciplinary collaboration between journalists and technology are on the rise. For example, Usher (2014, 2013) explore the benefits of collaborations between journalists and technologists like grassroot hackers, while Nyre et al (2018) suggest a model for how journalists can make use of-and money fromacademic prototypes developed at universities. On a more abstract level, Westlund and Lewis (2014) have developed a theoretical model for analyzing the agents of media innovations beyond the traditional actors like journalists, technologists and business people.…”