Innovations are a critical success factor for organizations to survive. Nowadays possibilities of information and communication technologies facilitate the use of IT-based tools for the integration of external innovators into the innovation process of organizations. These tools, like innovation communities, innovation contests, innovation toolkits, and innovation market places, are subsumed under the term open innovation platforms (OIPs). The skills required to design and manage OIPs differ significantly from those for a default website. Hence, typical lifecycle models cannot be applied. Stefan Hallerstede addresses this gap and develops a dedicated lifecycle management approach for OIPs. In doing so, information systems and open innovation literature are merged as well as the major players in the market are introduced. He builds on three in-depth cases of professional OIP lifecycle management, and compiles guidelines for managing each phase of an OIP’s lifecycle. Thereby, challenges in the lifecycle of OIPs are identified and mechanisms to overcome them are developed. Concluding, Stefan Hallerstede provides important insights for all, who are interested in, involved in, or designers and managers of open innovation platforms.
