How can organizations use wikis for innovation?

Wikis were first developed over 15 years ago. Research has shown that organizational or corporate wikis are sustainable and can be beneficial to organizations particularly in improving work processes, collaboration and knowledge management. However, there has been little research done to show how organizations can use wikis to support innovation processes. To bridge this gap, this paper explores how wikis can be used in different stages of innovation. We review existing literature as well as analyze case studies of wikis deployed in four organizations in order to highlight how wikis can be used to address challenges of knowledge management and collaboration in different stages of innovation from idea generation to commercialization. In particular, we propose a model that explains how wikis require a clear purpose for their use, a culture of collaboration, and integration within a formal innovation process.

► Wiki adoption in organizations has often met with a lack of success. ► The perception is that wikis are a grassroots technology. ► Through an analysis of the literature and successful case studies we have identified that a clear purpose is needed for wiki use along with a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing. ► The wiki innovation platform provides a structure and framework for organizations to use wikis effectively.