Evaluation of co-creation perspective in networked collaboration platforms

This study addresses a specific challenge of non-utilized benefits from the potential of networked structures, design, and technological solutions in collaboration platforms as a source for improving and stimulating internal and external co-creation opportunities. The organization of the collaboration between diverse set of actors in sharing knowledge and resources results in fragmented value co-creation processes of networked platforms (online communities, social networks, networks of practice, etc.). Collaboration platforms may differ in terms of users or purpose, but they all seem to share a number of common characteristics such as mass participation in online interactions, inclusion of information communication technologies (ICT) together with people in knowledge creation and aggregation, etc. The article evaluates the readiness of networked platforms to generate intended co-creation value by conducting a qualitative research on 30 collaboration platforms in Lithuania using a Social Indices calculation methodology (Skaržauskienė & Gudelytė, 2015). The study assesses the platforms with the use of three integrated indicators, namely, capacity for creativity, capacity for aggregating knowledge, and capacity for decision making. The research results provide valuable information on the trends in managing collaboration platforms, distilled best practices, and opened up opportunities for scientific reasoning to design engagement strategies.