A Stimulus Alternative
A recent post discussed the positive role many believe open innovation can play in economic recovery. Another writer agrees, believing open innovation can provide an alternative to stimulus programs, bailouts and traditional government job-training schemes. He provides a well written, concise outline on how open innovation is a pro-business, pro-taxpayer and, ultimately, pro-consumer strategy benefiting private industry, government agencies and academic institutions.
The author cautions against research partnerships that driven by governmental mandates, making them particularly vulnerable in a weak economic climate. In true open innovation, “the government doesn’t determine the research focii, the industrial partners do. When private, government and academic partners pool funds and other resources to expedite precompetitive research, often without a clearly defined destination in mind, “the program leaves open the possibility that commercial applications will present themselves as the research progresses. “The market, not the government, determines the research thrust.”
Others are seeking economic answers from the “wisdom of the crowd”. A Stanford University professor and a former Google Inc. executive have launched a site offering anyone the opportunity to propose a U.S. national budget of their own and attempt to curb additional debt accumulation. Visitors can also comment and vote for their favorites proposals.
The founders of the site, Widescope, have several goals, according to a Wall Street Journal article. They envision it as a nonpartisan discussion of serious issues and hope the site will educate voters, allowing them to see the bigger picture in the budget debate. They point out that it quickly becomes clear the only way to reduce the deficit is to make cuts to programs that voters want. . . and to raise taxes. Two changes that are going to difficult for elected officials to support. That is why founders want politicians to also become involved in this type of discussion and see consensus among the site’s participants.
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