Short answer

When aiming for significant innovation and efficiency gains in complex product ecosystems, consider adopting platform-based strategies that enable parallel and integrated digitalization across the entire value chain.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: SSRN (2018)
Method: Comparative case study analysis
Sample: 98 organizational entities
Evidence: Moderate effect

Simultaneous digitalization of development, production, and supply networks through platform-based approaches leads to novel mechanisms and potentially higher innovation performance compared to sequential digitalization. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in SSRN. Using Comparative case study analysis with 98 organizational entities, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When aiming for significant innovation and efficiency gains in complex product ecosystems, consider adopting platform-based strategies that enable parallel and integrated digitalization across the entire value chain.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Platform-driven innovation networks accelerate digital transformation in pharmaceutical development and supply chains.

SSRN · 2018

Key Findings

01Sequential digitalization pathways (product development-led or supply network-led) align with conventional risk mitigation strategies through modular advancements.
02Platform-based design rules, as opposed to modular moves, are proposed to mitigate risks in parallel development pathways.
03Platform-driven pathways enable simultaneous digitalization of development, production, and supply networks, leading to novel development and delivery mechanisms.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing new product development processes or digital transformation strategies, evaluate the potential of a platform-based approach to integrate various stages (development, production, supply) concurrently rather than sequentially.

Project actions

01Consider how different stages of a product's lifecycle can be digitally integrated.
02Investigate the benefits of using a central platform to manage multiple interconnected digital processes.

Method & Evidence

AimTo compare and contrast the strategic intent, the role of central nodes, and innovation performance of sequential versus platform-driven digitalization pathways within collaborative innovation networks in the pharmaceutical sector.

MethodComparative case study analysis

ProcedureThe study analyzed an eight-year dataset of 98 organizations in UK pharmaceutical pre-competitive innovation networks. Three distinct network structures were identified and analyzed: product development-led sequential, supply network-led sequential, and a parallel, platform-driven pathway. The analysis focused on strategic intent, the integrative roles of central nodes, and innovation performance.

Sample98 organizational entities

ContextPre-competitive innovation networks in the UK pharmaceutical sector

Variables

IVDigitalization pathway (sequential vs. platform-driven)

DVInnovation performance, strategic intent, integrative roles of central nodes

CVOrganizational entities, pre-competitive innovation networks, UK pharmaceutical sector

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Longitudinal data (eight years) provides a robust temporal perspective.
+Analysis of multiple network structures offers comparative insights.

Limitations

The study's focus on the pharmaceutical industry might limit its direct applicability to other fields. The definition and measurement of 'innovation performance' can be subjective.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliance on organizational data and network analysis provides a degree of objective measurement, while the qualitative comparison of network structures contributes to validity. The use of an eight-year dataset enhances reliability.

Think critically

To what extent are the findings on platform-driven innovation applicable to industries with less complex supply chains or different regulatory environments?

Design Principles

"Embrace platform-based design principles to enable simultaneous and integrated innovation across interconnected systems."

Understanding the structural dynamics of innovation networks is crucial for designing effective strategies for digital transformation. This research highlights how platform-driven approaches can foster more integrated and potentially faster innovation cycles.

What This Means for Your Design

This study looked at how companies in the drug industry digitize their processes. It found that doing things step-by-step (sequential) is one way, but using a 'platform' approach to digitize everything at once (development, making, and delivery) can lead to new ideas and better ways of working.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify choosing a platform-based approach for your digital design project, highlighting its potential for integrated innovation.
2.Reference the findings on sequential vs. platform-driven pathways to explain the strategic rationale behind your design decisions.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research by Harrington, Joglekar, and Srai (2018) provides valuable insights into digital transformation strategies within innovation networks. Their work suggests that platform-driven approaches, enabling simultaneous digitalization of development, production, and supply networks, can foster novel mechanisms and potentially outperform sequential digitalization pathways in terms of innovation performance. This supports the adoption of integrated, platform-based design strategies for complex projects.

Source

SSRN

Digitalisation of Development and Supply Networks: Sequential and Platform-Driven Innovations

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about platform-driven innovation networks accelerate digital transformation in pharmaceutical development and supply chains?: When aiming for significant innovation and efficiency gains in complex product ecosystems, consider adopting platform-based strategies that enable parallel and integrated digitalization across the entire value chain. Evidence: SSRN (2018).
Why does "Platform-driven innovation networks accelerate digital transformation in pharmaceutical development and supply chains." matter for design?: Understanding the structural dynamics of innovation networks is crucial for designing effective strategies for digital transformation. This research highlights how platform-driven approaches can foster more integrated and potentially faster innovation cycles.
How can designers apply this research?: When aiming for significant innovation and efficiency gains in complex product ecosystems, consider adopting platform-based strategies that enable parallel and integrated digitalization across the entire value chain.
What were the main findings?: Sequential digitalization pathways (product development-led or supply network-led) align with conventional risk mitigation strategies through modular advancements.. Platform-based design rules, as opposed to modular moves, are proposed to mitigate risks in parallel development pathways.. Platform-driven pathways enable simultaneous digitalization of development, production, and supply networks, leading to novel development and delivery mechanisms.
What research method was used?: Comparative case study analysis with 98 organizational entities.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from SSRN.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing new product development processes or digital transformation strategies, evaluate the potential of a platform-based approach to integrate various stages (development, production, supply) concurrently rather than sequentially.
What are the limitations?: The findings are specific to the UK pharmaceutical sector and may not be directly generalizable to all industries. The eight-year dataset captures a specific period of innovation network evolution.