Innovation processes with resounding success

In the end, the innovation, the new product, the invention, is there as a matter of course. But what actually happens before that? Oldenburg innovation researchers now want to answer these questions together with colleagues from Göttingen.

"COLLIN - Collaborative Innovation. The Use of External Knowledge in Inter-firm Development Processes" ("Collaborative Innovation. The Use of External Knowledge in Inter-firm Development Processes") is the name of the joint project that was launched at the beginning of the year. The Jean Monnet Centre for Europeanisation and Transnational Regulations Oldenburg (CETRO) and the Sociological Research Institute Göttingen (SOFI) are involved. The Volkswagen Foundation is funding the project with 670,000 euros from the Lower Saxony "Vorab" programme.

According to the Vice President for Research at the University of Oldenburg, Prof Dr Katharina Al-Shamery, innovation processes with subsequent resounding success, especially in transnational companies, are usually highly networked. At the same time, they are still largely unexplored. "I am delighted that the Oldenburg and Göttingen innovation researchers' project is being supported."

"The funding makes it possible to continue the innovation research that is now well established in Oldenburg," emphasises Oldenburg social scientist Prof. Dr Martin Heidenreich, who is leading the project together with his colleagues Prof. Dr Jannika Mattes and Prof. Dr Jürgen Kädtler.

The COLLIN researchers are initially looking at innovation processes in two sectors: renewable energies and information technologies. They are also looking at the knowledge transfer between suppliers, buyers, competitors and customers.

Interviews are planned with representatives of commercial enterprises and research institutions in 16 innovation projects. "We are confident that at the end of the three-year project period, we will be able to make reliable statements about the innovation processes in the two industries - and to what extent the findings can be transferred to other industries," says Mattes.

The project was initiated by Göttingen-based labour and industrial sociologist Prof. Dr Volker Wittke. He died in August, one month after submitting the project proposal. Prof. Dr Jürgen Kädtler, SOFI Director and Göttingen project leader: "COLLIN is also a recognition of the scientific achievements and commitment of our long-time friend and colleague".

Niedersächsisches Vorab
The state of Lower Saxony receives part of the Volkswagen Foundation's annual funding "in advance". The Volkswagen Foundation's Board of Trustees decides on the allocation of funding in the "Niedersächsisches Vorab" - on the basis of proposals from the state government of Lower Saxony.