Roles of Platforms and Open innovation in Agriculture

Abstract

Growth in the industrialization of the agriculture and food industry is important. In Japan, policies such as new technology development and sixth industrialization have attempted to develop agricultural industries. However, further breakthroughs require innovation.

In this study, I focus on open innovation in agriculture and roles of platforms. First, I discuss the concept of open innovation theory, platform theory, and value co-creation theory. Then, as examples of platforms deployed in the agriculture and food industries, I evaluate cases in France, the Netherlands, and Japan and consider the roles of open innovation and platforms. I examine the applicability and future development of the open innovation theory in the agriculture and food industries through case studies of open innovation. The cases are as follows : 1) French food clusters in France and the Kyushu Bio Cluster Conference case, which develops brands knowledge in agriculture and food industries through international collaboration ; 2) Food Valley and its support of Dutch agriculture and food industries, which includes an evaluation of its participating companies/organizations. 3) a new Japanese innovation policy that is noted for its unique support of agriculture and food industries that is called “Field for knowledge integration and innovation,” and is based on the innovation policies of France and the Netherlands.

In the French food cluster case, I show the progress of R & D projects and the transfer of technology and branding through international collaboration, after evaluating the French government’s innovation policy. Through cooperation with the Kyushu Bio Cluster Conference, it has evolved into international research and development and branding projects, and open innovation taking advantage of the strengths of both sides. In the Netherlands Food Valley case, I examine the activities of the Food Valley Foundation and evaluate the activities of participating companies and institutions. I analyze a mechanism to accelerate open innovation efficiently and clarify an effective support policy. In “Field for knowledge integration and innovation,” which was studied under these results, I show a future direction of open innovation in agriculture and the food industry. Through a research and development platform—in addition to matching research needs and seeds—I show a mechanism to conduct research efficiently through a research consortium. The development of open innovation in these cases is also effective in agriculture and the food industry, although research and development and promoting innovation takes time in this field. This example shows that open innovation is effective. In addition to theoretical arguments, I examine open-innovation—gaining attention in recent years―and the development of platforms to promote open innovation in actual cases in Japan and Europe. In particular, various experiences and knowledge of people involved and ideas from different industries are important in promoting open innovation in the agriculture and food industries, and a mechanism to create value co-creation for common objectives and issues becomes clear. I conclude that the roles of social innovators, such as producers, are indispensable in promoting these value co-creation activities.