Brokerage functions in a virtual idea generation platform: Possibilities for collective creativity?

Abstract The open innovation approach emphasizes the importance of service and product users as a source of novel ideas. An essential question is how user-driven innovation is conducted. Information and communications technology offers various new opportunities and means of acquiring information about users and engaging them in innovation activity. This study investigates brokerage functions in a virtual environment where people with diverse experience, areas of expertise and perspectives collaborate. The research question is how brokerage functions are able to create possibilities for collective creativity. The study focuses on the front-end stage of an innovation process: the ideation phase in a virtual idea generation environment, in which fruitful and fresh ideas based on users; or potential users’, needs are sought for in order to support the innovation process.

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