Inter-collaborative practices for the digital journey: a qualitative investigation of high-tech manufacturing firms in the UK

Digital transformation (DT) plays a critical role for manufacturing firms to stay competitive. However, this journey requires capabilities that enable effective collaborations with external actors for joint digital innovation. Managing these collaborations can be challenging. This study investigates how open innovation (OI) practices contribute to DT through a qualitative empirical investigation of four large UK manufacturing firms that are already on their journey towards digitalization. Interviews and questionnaires were applied to employees and non-participant observations were made, followed by content analysis. The results indicate that business success depends more on how digital technologies are developed and used by people to add value to the firm, rather than simply adopting new technologies. The study presents the factors that hinder and facilitate the operationalization of OI practices. The findings also highlight the relevant role of governmental efforts in instigating collaborative innovation practices in UK firms. The study explores the importance of relating OI to academia and practitioners to establish networks for digital innovation practices and identifies public policy practices to support these ecosystems along the digital journey of large organizations.