Creative collaboration to provide value for first time innovators - effective engagement of stakeholders and users in co-creation processes in SMEs.

Project Information

Create4value

Grant agreement ID: 824203

DOI

10.3030/824203

Project closed

EC signature date 8 August 2019

Start date 1 September 2019

End date 28 February 2022

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 60 000,00

EU contribution

€ 60 000,00

Coordinated by

FUNDACJA UNIWERSYTETU IM ADAMA MICKIEWICZA W POZNANIU
Poland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Create4value (Creative collaboration to provide value for first time innovators - effective engagement of stakeholders and users in co-creation processes in SMEs.)

Reporting period: 2021-03-01 to 2022-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

There is a number of small and medium-sized companies in the Wielkopolska region, that do not recognize the value of innovation. They have necessary resources (i.e. size, turnover, experienced HR) to introduce innovation, but have been never engaged in innovation process. “Create4value” addressed them with an innovative support (design and implementation of co-creation of new product) not only to unlock their latent potential, but also with a view to bring macro-effect by increasing the innovation indices in the region.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work in the project started with the development of a methodology for RCTs with impact indicators. A the same time methodology and toolbox for co-creation process as well as methodology for incentivising users were developed. These documents were necessary for starting the work with companies. During development of these documents the previous experiences of team members from co-creation processes were exploited. In addition 2 members of the team participated in high-quality training on design thinking methods, which significantly improved the methods of work with companies in the co-creation process.
Improved co-creation methodology (co-creation process in company including Business Model Canvas exercise) was tested as pilot experimental approach with the group of 3 companies with a view to measure the impact of co-creation service on company innovation culture. The service comprises interlinked activities along steps of the co-creation process which foresee assistance of innovation agency leading the company through the innovation development. Co-creation approach requires involvement of users and stakeholders and their active participation and contribution to the process.
PPNT has carried out pilot co-creation process in three companies:
- producer of fruit and herbal teas as well as black and green teas. The process was focused on idea of the company to create a new beauty-wellness product.
- manufacturer of benches, coffee tables and tables. The co-creation focused on designing a new product with many functions that will meet the expectations of people living in small spaces.
- company applying non-adhesive technologies in the printing industry. The process led to co-creating new ideas of application of company main product for different groups of users.
The feedback given by the companies indicates that co-creation process generates the new innovation practices which reflects increase of innovation culture.
The new co-creation scheme is offered to non-innovating companies as part of the PPNT innovation support portfolio. Main project deliverables: co-creation methodology and toolbox are available for exploitation and further development by innovation agencies from Wielkopolska and Europe.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Well established companies which are not familiar with innovation have a great potential to absorb innovation support of local, regional and national agencies. Therefore experimenting new innovation services with them can provide economic impact in long term. Experimentation with co-creation gives companies not only new product concept but also new knowledge and skills. Such activities stimulate development of innovation culture in companies in long run. Knowledge and skills can be shared among employees in company, improving performance of those who were not involved in the experiment directly. From innovation agency perspective carrying out the process during the pandemics generated new challenges which implied even more flexible and pro-active approach in terms of organisation of the process and interactions with companies to keep them involved in extended time-frame and resulted in introducing modifications to original methodology toolbox for co-creation process.

co-creation workshop illustration 2

co-creation workshop illustration 1

prototype illustration