Reference:

Ben Mahmoud Jouini Sihem & Charue-Duboc Florence (2018) “Construction des relations avec des fournisseurs distants sur les plans cognitifs et relationnels pour co-explorer des innovations discontinues”, Innovations, 2018/1, n° 55, pp. 61-87.

Abstract:

Co-exploring concepts with distant suppliers on the cognitive and relational dimensions favors the identification of discontinuous innovation. However, few researches address the establishment of such relations. Based on a longitudinal study of a firm that has developed relations with distant suppliers and succeeded in co-exploring discontinuous innovation, we inductively highlight the characteristics of the process and of the organizational design that enabled the building of these relations. We point out the transparency of the coexploration process that enables a progressive mutual commitment. The establishment of the relations is supported by a specific player with access to the top management and technical specialists, giving him a global vision of the questions to be tackled. By developing these relations simultaneously with the ones involving long term partners, this player is therefore an enabler of the organizational ambidexterity of the firm.

Keywords: Discontinuous Innovation, Suppliers Contribution, Distant Suppliers, Open Innovation, Exploration, Organizational Ambidextry