Methodology for capitalizing on and exploiting the knowledge generated by ecosystem exploration projects

The case of a mobility service platform in sub-Saharan Africa

Oral defence scheduled for 24 June 2024 at 3pm, at the Ecole polytechnique

Abstract :

One of the current challenges of innovation projects is that they often combine technological and business model breakthroughs, as well as breakthroughs in the value criteria that inspire them (sustainability), notably to take account of environmental and inclusion constraints.To be successful, these projects (which fall outside the company's field of expertise) require adapted exploration methodologies leading to the generation of knowledge to remove the uncertainties to which they are subject, in order to validate or invalidate the opportunity for value creation.Thus, the exploration of new concepts, technologies and markets may lead to the project being discontinued. In this eventuality, the valorization of the knowledge generated during the project, with the aim of initiating or fuelling others, becomes a strategic competitive asset. This valorization process requires a knowledge redeployment methodology that must complement that adopted during the life of the exploration project. 

Our thesis aims to provide a methodology adapted to the constraints of the life of an ecosystem exploration project, while taking into account its future, whether it is crowned with commercial success or, on the contrary, stopped before it is put on the market. Conducted as a research-intervention for an automaker, it is based on the analysis of a real case study, the ADVL project for exploring a frugal electric mobility offer coupled with access to energy for rural regions in sub-Saharan Africa.Supported by the company's middle management, the analysis enabled us to identify a dilemma between the rapid generation of results to secure internal resources, and the long and costly generation of knowledge to remove uncertainties. We propose a theoretical framework to address this dilemma, focusing on the modularity of projects and the dynamic definition of the size of their component modules. Stopping the project mid-way through the thesis enabled us to study the valorization of intermediate assets generated during the course of the exploration project.We begin by taking an overview of the processes for capitalizing on and enhancing the value of the knowledge generated in the company's projects, and note the asymmetry between development projects, for which these processes are optimized and standardized, and exploration projects. We then propose a theoretical framework for capitalizing and valorizing the intermediate assets of exploration projects, focusing on learning communities and adapted knowledge management tools.

Keyword : Modularity, Ecosystem, Knowledge Management, Exploratory Projects, Mobility

Composition of jury :