PROJECT TITLE :

Using Enterprise Social Networks as Innovation Platforms

ABSTRACT:

Do enterprise social network platforms in an organization build the company more innovative? In theory, through communication, collaboration, and information exchange, innovation concepts can easily be expressed, shared, and discussed with many partners in the organization. Nevertheless, whether or not this guarantees innovation success remains to be seen. The authors studied how innovation concepts moved- or not- from an enterprise social network platform to regular innovation processes at a massive Australian retailer. They found that the success of innovation concepts depends on how easily understandable the idea is on the platform, how long it has been discussed, and the way powerful the social network participants are in the organization. These findings inform management ways for the governance of enterprise social network use and therefore the organizational innovation method.