The “Ba” of Co-creation and the Catalyst Function in Industry-Academia Collaboration

Abstract

It is generally known that a “Ba” (“place” in Japanese) of co-creation, where needs and seeds co-exist in the same space, effectively leads to innovation. The “Ba” of co-creation in this paper is a “Ba” for matching events aimed at sharing necessary information. However, a person who has needs often faces difficulties identifying those who have seeds, and vice versa. Thus, catalysts are necessary at the “Ba” of co-creation to effectively connect those with the needs to those with the seeds.

This paper analyzes collaborations between industry and academia, that were generated during the Matching HUB - an exhibition and an example of a “Ba” of co-creation organized by the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). Next, after revealing the factors necessary to facilitate such collaboration, this paper proposes new ways of exchanging information through such events.