Innovation cooperation between small and large firms

Research Project, 2017 – 2018

The project is designed as an experience exchange and learning program between seven Swedish large companies, all of whom have developed working methods/organizational concepts to create innovation cooperation with small businesses. The learning process is primarily based on full day workshops at the location of the participating companies. In the morning, the host company presents its work, explains what has been achieved and how this has been done - as well as highlighting the challenges that one still faces. The other companies can then provide feedback and suggestions for improvement. The process is at the same time a learning process for the other participating companies through the host company's open sharing of both its successes and adversities/continued challenges. The researchers' role here is also to document experiences/lessons for later use for workshops and publication.

The afternoon aims to provide a complementary perspective directly based on a small business perspective on innovation cooperation with large companies. Therefore, the hosting company will also invite 3-4 startups to make a short presentation (pitch) and then participate in a panel discussion or small group discussions focusing on highlighting the small business needs and perspectives of cooperation with large companies.

In parallel, four webinars will also be organized within knowledge areas of priority for the participants. After seven company workshops, the companies will participate in a summary and reflection workshop aiming at highlighting what was learned from the process and what may be of value to spread to other stakeholders in Sweden. The last activity will also include organizations that have the task of spreading new ways of working and organizational solutions to their clients or members.