Justyna Dabrowska

Dąbrowska, J., Lopez-Vega., H. and Ritala
Even in today’s turbulent business environment, there are companies in many industries that have enjoyed decades of relatively undisturbed success. However, eventually, after such prolonged periods of calm, existing market positions are challenged. We describe such companies as ‘Sleeping Beauties’ and discuss how they can reinvent themselves through opening up of their boundaries and moving from compartmentalized exploitation and exploration efforts to a more dynamic ambidexterity model. We analyse Swarovski’s open innovation journey in this regard, instigated as a response to recent changes in its business environment. Our analysis of this process offers useful insights for companies struggling with similar problems.

Dabrowska Justyna, Podmetina Daria
Innovative companies are increasingly creating new open innovation functions and employing open innovation specialists to facilitate innovation processes. However, research that explores these emerging jobs remains scarce. This study examines the worldwide job market for ‘open innovation’ specialists as per job title and/or job description, and analyzes 100 job advertisements related to ‘open innovation’ specialists published during two periods in 2014 and 2016. The findings identify the key responsibilities of dedicated open innovation specialists and associated skills, and the competencies that companies seek in candidates. In addition, the findings indicate that companies need open innovation specialists to not only work in R&D departments. In addition, the ability to influence others and prior start-up experience have become basic requirements to apply for open innovation specialist positions.