Leveraged Innovation

Leveraged Innovation reveals that a dramatically different approach to the supplier - client relationship is being developed by leading companies around the world. It documents the benefits of Early Supplier Involvement (ESI), a radically new approach to inter-company relations which is providing a powerful impetus for increased creativity. Based on the findings of a European Research team, the text clearly shows how, why and to what effect suppliers the world over are becoming increasingly involved in the innovation process itself. Leveraged Innovation demonstrates and documents the process through which increased co-operation can lead to real competitive advantage. Leveraged Innovation is both an introduction to Early Supplier Involvement and a dynamic overview of best practise around the world. It provides important practical insights for enterprising companies, enabling the development and maintainence of ESI programmes of their own. Readers will discover for themselves that while this approach is an option for excellence in the present, it looks set to become a necessity for profitable business in the Twenty First century. Includes: * Origins of buyer-supplier co-operation for innovation * Types of co-operative relationships * Evaluation of the benefits of Early Supplier Involvement * Key managerial challenges of ESI as identified by experienced organizations * Consideration of the influence of national and corporate cultures * Citations of leading companies such as Fuji Xerox, Lexmark, Philips and Bosch