Open Digital Innovation

Open Digital Innovation shows how organizations can use contests to drive the development of new digital solutions — from digital services and platforms to mobile apps. By inviting external developers, entrepreneurs, and users to compete and collaborate, organizations can generate solutions that go beyond their internal capabilities and accelerate digital innovation. Taking a hands-on, contest-driven approach, the book explains how to design, manage, and benefit from innovation contests. It introduces the core principles of open innovation and translates them into practical tools for running successful initiatives, from motivating participants and overcoming innovation barriers to transforming promising ideas into real digital services. Written for graduate and undergraduate courses in digital innovation and entrepreneurship, the book is equally valuable for managers and policymakers seeking to use contests as a strategic instrument for digital development. This second edition strengthens the book’s scientific foundation while expanding its practical relevance. It explores how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping open digital innovation, how contest-based approaches can support broader digital transformation, and how emerging European data and AI regulations are redefining the conditions for innovation. The book is structured as a clear three-part roadmap — Innovation Foundations, Contest Approach, and Implications — guiding readers from foundational principles to practical application and future challenges.