| Abstract |
The knowledge of how a city can drive innovation of companies and third sector organizations for its own needs is scarce so far. The present article addresses this knowledge gap. The purpose is to develop and propose a conceptual model for open service innovation platform in a Smart City. This is a preliminary model and it functions as a starting point for a following empirical study of this area in the future. Cities are increasingly adopting the ideas of the Smart City concept in their visions and development efforts. A handful of characteristics is usually associated to the concept of smart City. They include innovation and knowledge, high-tech and creative industries, utilization of networked infrastructures, business-led urban development, social and relational capital in urban development, and environmental sustainability. This article argues that a true Smart Cities takes the initiative and actively facilitates and guides the innovation of companies and third sector organizations in order to reach new services which on the one hand solve the city's problems, and on the other hand enable profitable business to companies. However, the knowledge of this area is still in its infancy. Both scientific knowledge and management practices are needed. Pre-commercial procurement is an example of recent approaches to steer the development of solutions of private companies towards concrete public sector needs, and this article sees its potential in the context innovation platforms in public sector. As a result, this article contributes by proposing a preliminary model for open service innovation platform in a Smart City. The model illustrates the evolution and transformation of city's problem through innovation platform into a service providing a solution to the city's problem and revenues to the company. It also illustrates the portfolio of innovation projects in the platform and their synergies, as well as connections and synergies to other innovation platforms in home country and abroad. Moreover, it proposes four different options how an innovation platform may be positioned in the city's administration. |