Open Innovation and the Social Constraints

The Jordanstown campus of the University of Ulster has a student run blog surrounding the ideas in the “E-business Innovation” module. A couple days ago they talked about the three social factors that can hold back the open innovation potential of companies: Apathy, culture and tradition and psychology.

Go check it out.

These hindrances are not only related to company innovation advancements, but personal advancements as well: It’s hard to be excited about something with ambiguous outcomes. We often find it difficult to step outside our comfort zones to try new and untested ideas. We stick with what works and the idea of allowing others to join the innovation process makes us feel like less of a success.