| dc.description.abstract | The global society faces several grand challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, and poverty that must be addressed. Therefore, all actors with diverse capabilities in every industry necessarily need to engage in open innovation projects to develop solutions that tackle these societal challenges. This master thesis contributes to the research field of sustainable open innovation by developing a new theoretical framework for sustainable development through cluster collaborations. Thus, this master thesis addresses the research question: How does collaboration in clusters affect sustainable development?
Empirically, primary data was obtained through semi-closed structured interviews with partners in the Tunnel Centre and the Low-Emission Value Chain for Offshore Aquaculture projects. Secondary data was collected through archival and documentary research from different sources, such as third-party actors, projects’ application reports, and research reports. Based on the qualitative research methods, this study analysed the relation between the six success factors for collaboration (shared purpose, trust, monitoring, deliberation, communication, and knowledge-sharing) and sustainable open innovation. Accordingly, this study examined the impact of sustainable open innovation on business model innovation.
This paper found that the six success factors of collaboration presented in the theoretical framework affect the stakeholder engagement in the sustainable open innovation projects. Further, it also investigated the link between sustainable business models and open innovation and how this relationship impacts the grand challenges of achieving sustainable development. In addition, this paper also provided recommendations to Vital Infrastructure Arena Cluster and Stiim Aqua Cluster, which are the facilitators for sustainable open innovation projects in transportation infrastructure and aquaculture industries.
Keywords: Sustainable Open Innovation - Sustainable Business Model Innovation - Collaboration - Norwegian Arena Pro Clusters | |