Abstract This article explains #open_innovation theory in plain language for students while keeping the structure of a scholarly journal article. #open_innovation is the idea that organizations no longer rely only on their own laboratories and staff to create new products. Instead, they combine ideas from inside the firm with ideas from customers, universities, suppliers, start-ups, and even competitors. The paper begins with the management roots of the concept, then asks a h

Institutional isomorphism is one of the most important ideas in #Institutional_Theory. It explains why organizations that appear different at the beginning often become similar over time. Schools, universities, hospitals, companies, charities, banks, and government agencies may operate in different fields, but they often copy similar structures, procedures, language, titles, rankings, quality systems, and management practices. This article explains #Institutional_Isomorphism