Andreas Kornherr, Mondi, Ulmerfeld-Hausmening, Austria From flirt to innovation How to establish network ties between science and industry http://obc2012.outofthebox.si/

1. From flirt to innovation
Andreas Kornherr & Gerhard Drexler
Research & Development
Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper

2. Agenda
Introduction to Mondi
Terms and Definitions
Flirting
Networks
Case studies
Discussion

3. Mondi Group
Mondi is an international paper and
packaging Group, with production
operations across 28 countries and about
23,400 employees.
Its key operations and interests are in
central Europe, Russia and South Africa.
The Group is involved in the manufacture
of packaging paper, converted packaging
products and uncoated fine paper.

4. Open Innovation
technologies, Front End Ideas from external
trends, markets sources, R&D
partner, suppliers,
literature,
conferences, etc.)
Development
external licenses &
know-how patents & licenses
external products
Market
existing market new market

5. Modes of cooperation
vertical
external
collaboration
(supplier)
horizontal
external internal external
collaboration collaboration collaboration
(universities) (project) (other companies)
external
collaboration
(customer)

6. Formation of collaborations
e.g. university – industry
high adaptability low
high
high
University-industry research projects
University research and collaborations, research
funded by contracts consortia, joint ventures (with public
or mixed public-private funding)
from industry,
uncertainty
complexity
academic consulting
high knowledge
appropriability University research
Research performed
within the firm with without industry
marginal or no university involvement, publicly
involvement funded
low
Low
high exclusivness low
Source: Rossi 2010 (mod.)

7. Hunter–gatherer cooperation
Source: Joseph Henrich, Nature 481, p. 449-450, 2012

8. Finding a Partner
Dream: Aim:

9. Guide to Flirting
A flirt is a (erotically) motivated approach between two persons
establishing a cursory contact without obligation.
“Flirting is a basic instinct, part of
human nature. This is not surprising: if
we did not initiate contact and express
interest in members of the opposite
sex, we would not progress to
reproduction, and the human species
would become extinct.”
Kate Fox
Social Issues Research Centre

10. Personal attitude for succesfull flirting
high
Degree of
Connectivity
community
small Degree of
Mar Sharing
kt personal
low high
Degree of Interactivity
Source: Peter Gloor / MIT / 2006

11. From flirting to formal collaboration

12. From weak to strong networks
Identification of possible partners
(congresses, literature, patents, internet,…)
Adjustments with roadmap
Clarification of additional competencies
Formation of weak bonds
(weak = meetings 1-2 times a year)
intensification of bonds
(strong = meetings several times a year, workshops)
Concrete project definition
Budgets and contracts
Public funding(s)
External technology user
Combination, subsitution of partners

13. Type of collaborations between
industry & universities

14. Where do „weak“ relationships begin?
uncertainty
Early and longterm
relationships between
internal and external
researchers can -
depending on diversity What is
and specifity - lead to possible?
new perspectives and
ideas for the company.
5–10 J Can we make it?
„Weak“ relationships are Do we want to?
characterized by a high Implementation
number but low
frequency of contacts to 3–5 J
other persons. 1–2 J
ressources
Groenveld, 1997 (mod.)

15. Case study I - network of employees

16. Case study II – humidity indicators (smart
colours)

17. Case study II – humidity indicators

18. Case study II – Network details

19. 3 Projects

20. Summary
Open Innovation is based on external collaboration
Different modes of collaboration
Networks form the basis of collaboration
The flirt – from weak to strong networks
Case studies relate networks to innovation
2 – mode networks

21. Building Relationships
9 Innovation Events (2008-2010)
204 companies
9 events
2-mode network
Degree centrality

22. Looking forward to questions, comments, inputs …
Andreas Kornherr Gerhard Drexler
Andreas.Kornherr@mondigroup.com Gerhard.Drexler@mondigroup.com
Tel .+43 7475 500 - 5143 Tel.: +43 7475 500 - 5130
FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS
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