Value capture in open innovation systems: a longitudinal analysis of collaborative processes with radical circles

Despite the wealth of research on open innovation, the mechanisms through which value can be captured from open and collaborative innovation activities remain largely underexplored. In this paper we address this issue by unearthing the anatomy of value capture processes in open innovation systems. With this aim, we conduct a detailed qualitative and longitudinal case analysis of the collaborative value capture processes in which three radical circles (i.e. Slow Food, Memphis, and Free Software Foundation) have been involved during their life-cycle. The discussion of our case studies suggests that firms collaborating with these three radical circles captured value by leveraging on specific assets: reputational, organizational, intellectual and human, and technological assets. Drawing on these insights, the paper offers several contributions for open innovation research and suggests interesting avenues for future inquiry into this topic.