Finding partners for complex system innovations through a trans-sectoral ‘matchmaking platform’

Abstract

Complex system innovations require the concurrent implementation of trans-sectoral coinnovations. The case of fuel cell vehicle development in Germany may serve as an expedient example for this necessity to develop multiple innovative components within largely disconnected 'technology islands'. The diagonal cooperation among organisations from formerly non-cooperating industries (i.e. from within those technology islands) that so far have not shared a common knowledge base, however, is hindered by structural information deficits, making it difficult to identify the 'right' cooperation partners. Based on the requirements as identified in the case study, we therefore propose a 'matchmaking platform' that aims at fostering a trans-sectoral dialogue by providing systematically generated corporate capability profiles of organisations with promising cooperation potential. The matching is grounded on factors derived from resource-and market-based theory.

Is coopetitive decision-making a black box? Technology and digitisation as decision-makers and drivers of coopetition

“…In addition, some planned tools of strategic management have features where smart "matchmaking platforms" make decisions or suggestions about cooperation between companies in the form of Complex System Innovation (CSI). Collaboration between companies is based on systematically generated corporate capability profiles of organizations with promising cooperation potential (Venghaus & Stummer, 2015). In this case, the initial coopetition decision is governed by algorithm.…”

“…The next degree of technological decision-making might also contain platforms, albeit not necessarily. In this category, technology is directly related to practical or strategic decision-making of companies and provides decision-support, content, information, or timetable for coopetition (Morte, Boland, & Rollino, 2007;Gottschlich & Hinz, 2014;Hajdul, 2014;Dagnino, 2004;Venghaus & Stummer, 2015). Figure 4 introduces the fourth type of technology in coopetitive decision-making, where algorithms alone make decisions about coopetition.…”

“…Figure 4 introduces the fourth type of technology in coopetitive decision-making, where algorithms alone make decisions about coopetition. In the literature, the ideas of Venghaus & Stummer (2015) about matchmaking platform somehow resemble the total role of technology in coopetitive decision-making. There are some alternatives for decision-making in technology-driven coopetition.…”

“…Mainly firms with SBE, which is a complex system and is selforganizing, coevolving, organizationally closed and emergent Venghaus & Stummer (2015) Complex System Innovation (CSI) suggests partnerships…”

Management science in the era of smart consumer products: challenges and research perspectives

“…Demand variability turns out to be a decisive driver of the contract design. A related problem, namely finding the right partners for developing complex system innovations, is addressed by Venghaus and Stummer (2015). For a recent overview of the limited SCM literature on R&D collaboration within the supply chain and for the subsequent game-theoretical analysis of a specific type of corresponding contractual design confer the work by Ulrich (2014).…”