Swarovski, a 125-year old crystal company, faced organizational rigidity that hindered innovation. To overcome this, Swarovski embarked on an open innovation journey that involved establishing external partnerships and internal initiatives. Drivers for change included a need to engage new customer segments and technologies. New structures like an innovation lab and partnership programs were created to promote collaboration beyond traditional boundaries. This helped Swarovski successfully transition from a producer of crystal goods to an innovator in new materials and technology.

1. Case Study - Supporting Teaching Slides for article by
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https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12374
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WAKING THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
‘s open innovation journey
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2. PRESENTATION
OUTLINE
TOPICS COVERED
Image: ar130405 from Pixabay

3. © Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand the main
concepts of:
Design Strategies for
Organizational
Transformation
Learn HOW Swarovski (a mature company) embraced
organizational change and enhanced (open) innovation
capabilities
© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

5. SLEEPING BEAUTIES
Incumbent companies that
have been able to:
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6. https://bit.ly/2UsqoTy
Watch the Spotlight on
Organizational Ambidexterity
© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

7. ORGANIZATIONAL
RIGIDITY
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8. ORGANIZATIONAL
AMBIDEXTERITY
For details: O'Reilly III, C.A. and Tushman, M.L. (2013). Organizational ambidexterity: Past, present, and future. Academy of Management Perspectives, 27(4), pp.324-338.
March, J. G. (1991). Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organization Science, 2(1), pp.71-87.

9. OPEN INNOVATION
Research Development Commercialization
New Market
Research
or
Idea
Current
Market
© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

10. OVERCOMING ORGANIZATIONAL
RIGIDITY THROUGH OPEN INNOVATION
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11. © Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

12. CASE
BACKGROUND
Source: Swarovski Group. Learn more on the history: https://www.swarovskigroup.com/S/125/history/History.en.html
© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

13. Swarovski’s open innovation journey
Drivers & change mechanisms
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14. ORGANIZATIONAL INERTIA AT SWAROVSKI
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15. Swarovski’s open innovation journey
© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

16. EXAMPLES OF INITIATIVES
© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala
https://bit.ly/3fsobTJ

17. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
EXAMPLES for self-reflection and/or group discussion
© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala

18. OTHER RECOMMENDED READING
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19. AUTHORS
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h.lopezvega@surrey.ac.uk
https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12374
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© Dabrowska, Lopez-Vega, Ritala