Case Studies

Case Study 1

8. Ability to share knowledge and ideas externally

8.1. The external environment and knowledge flows

Country	Portugal
Title	Bringing external knowledge to adjust a solution to the market
Summary	When an entrepreneur (or an SME) is development an innovative solution, the scarcity of resources (including knowledge) can be an obstacle to the successful launch of the innovation into the market. Therefore, it’s of high relevance to understand which knowledge is required but not detained and look for the right collaboration to support innovation to become a reality
Key Issues	To understand the external environment in which an organization operates is crucial to understand where the collaboration opportunities exist. Organizations have limited resources, including knowledge. It’s crucial to know which knowledge is needed and were to find it. In collaboration, knowledge and ideas exchange is a process that requires a common language and a common ground of understanding and trust in order to successfully achieve the collaboration objectives
Description of the case study	LB is an entrepreneur with deep expertise in engineering. He’s constantly applying his academic knowledge to the development of new solutions for different markets. During the COVID-19, bored with his free time, he and some colleagues from different expertise fields developed an innovative health device with materials he found at his home and home office. Seeing the potential of his invention, LB engaged external experts in the field of health to contribute to the transformation of the invention into innovation, meaning developing a solution valuable and accepted by the market. LB knew exactly who he wanted to engage, based on the knowledge he knew he was missing and knowing who owned that specific knowledge and ability to bring added value to the project. The collaboration was fruitful and ended up in a refined prototype. With this prototype, the solution was, then, protected by patent.

Case Study 2

8. Ability to share knowledge and ideas externally

8.2. Channels and practices for knowledge and ideas exchange

Country	Portugal
Title	Finding the right partner to develop a new solution
Summary	To proceed with the final development of the prototype of an innovative health device, a young entrepreneur needed to look for an external partner. The external partner should have the expertise and knowledge to develop the device casing according to the requirements of the device and the selected materials. The challenge was to find the right partner and achieve a common ground of understanding to start a successful collaboration
Key Issues	Enter between 3 and 5 key aspects. You can list them in a list like the one below: When entering a collaboration process for innovation, with knowledge and ideas exchange, it is of high relevance to identify the people/organizations that own the knowledge/expertise we need. For a success cooperation between to organizations, the objectives of the collaboration need to be aligned, there is the need for an aligned work culture that will lead to trust; A common language is crucial so that different organizations can find a common ground for collaboration Knowledge protection is very important when organization exchange knowledge and ideas
Description of the case study	Following the case presented for submodule 8.1, the road to the launch of LB new solution into the market followed with the need to engage new partner. With a validated and patent protected solution, it was time to plan the launch of LB solution into the market. While all the engineering knowledge embedded in the solution was protected by a patent, the final design and production casing of the solution was requiring a much-needed collaboration. The idea for the requirements of the final design were defined, as well as the materials to be used in the production of the casing – a recycling-based new material, perfectly adjusted to the needs of the solution. Who owned the knowledge and expertise to develop and produced the casing? LB and his team worked with a start-up consulting expert who had been following the project development since the beginning, explained the needs of the moment and clarifying the key requirements for the needed partner. A pool of possible partners was presented and discussed, and based on the requirements, one partner was invited. This partner filled in all the expertise requirements, his market credibility and products portfolio was analysed and approved, two requirements were yet to be known. Would this partner be able to produce this specific case with this specific material? Would the two parts be able to create a common ground of understanding – establish a common goal, align work cultures, exchange knowledge in ideas to achieve the best solution, respect each other, including be available to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements to protect each part knowledge? The partner was in a very close geographical proximity and an in-person was possible to arrange in a very short time. The parts meet and discuss the project. The connection and alignment of objectives towards the development of a successful final product was immediate. From that moment on, the two parts kept working together until the final product, ready to the market was successfully concluded.