Responsive Innovation: Using Networks of Key Stakeholders to Collectively Sense Issues

Although the importance of stakeholder networks has been recognized in recent years, a non-teleological model that incorporates their collective sensing into innovation processes has so far not been developed. Hence, this paper argues that traditional linear and sequential innovation models are insufficient in hypercompetitive environments. Instead, it is proposed that companies should ground their innovation processes in the collective sensing of frontline-employees and customers that operate around the organizational periphery. This frames the concept of responsive innovation, where key stakeholders engaged in the organization’s ongoing business activities collectively identify issues that central managers subsequently can resolve.