Exploring the unknowns of international open innovation: The case of CEC Africa Investments Limited

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore open innovation with a view to develop a framework for CEC Africa Investments Limited that could be employed to integrate open innovation opportunities into its operations to enhance firm growth. The study investigated the development of an open innovation framework specifically tailored for Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Africa Investments Limited, a prominent player in Zambia's energy sector, to enhance firm growth and improve competitive positioning. The research recognizes the critical role of innovation in driving organizational performance, particularly within emerging markets, were resource constraints and unique challenges demand adaptive strategies. Using a qualitative case study approach, based on interpretive phenomenological analysis as well as content analysis the data from 20 participants, including executives and management staff reviewed the potential of two primary types of open innovation—collaborative and inbound innovation—as strategic tools for fostering growth. Collaborative innovation involves engaging both internal and external stakeholders to co-create value, while inbound innovation emphasizes the integration of external knowledge and expertise to enhance internal capabilities. These approaches were identified as pivotal for addressing organizational challenges and unlocking new opportunities, such as renewable energy investments and lean operating structures. The study also uncovers significant barriers to the adoption of open innovation, including financial constraints and organizational resistance. Financial priorities, such as debt restructuring and achieving financial stability, were found to limit resources available for innovation. Additionally, organizational challenges, including insufficient funding and a lack of structured innovation processes, further impede the integration of open innovation practices. To address these challenges, the study proposes a comprehensive framework for open innovation, focusing on three critical components: effective change management to facilitate organizational adaptation, targeted training and communication to build an innovation-driven culture, and strategic collaboration with external experts to bring in fresh perspectives and specialized knowledge. The framework aims to create an enabling environment for open innovation, ensuring its alignment with organizational objectives and market demands. Though some studies have stressed the importance of collaboration between industry and academia line the University of Zambia and Copper belt University as suggested in this study, there is a need to study the impact of these collaborations in greater detail.

Keywords: international open innovation, Africa

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/15-1-06

Publication date: May 28th 2025