Open Innovation in ICT Services for Quadruple Helix Model: The Cloud Proposition

Abstract

How do we implement Open Innovation in ICT? This question was the main motivation for this study. This paper builds a strong case for extensive adoption of Cloud Computing for Open Innovation in the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Services industry, with a view to possibly help Telcos (Telecommunication Service Providers) in finding the right areas to invest in. Globally, the ICT/Telecom industry stands severely challenged owing to rapid and radical transformation on practically every front, wherein its survival and growth depend on an ever increasing capability of providing rich, complex, and innovative services. In the context of a Quadruple Helix (QH) model of Innovation, this paper explores how regional adoption of Open Innovation (OI) has a salutary effect on the performance of ICT/Telecom Service Providers. It is examined how the Cloud Computing is a good model to implement Open Innovation for ICT in the Quadruple Helix framework. It also explores how it addresses the critical issues and how Cloud serves as an enabler and catalyst for OI in ICT Services in the QH framework. The over-arching approach is to examine how the Telecom Firm's performance is predicated upon by Open Innovation factors in the firm. The OI factors were derived from OI indicators, which map to the Quadruple Helix model. It is then seen how Cloud Computing as a platform can fulfill the needs of the model, and resolve the key challenges thereof.