Bootlegging is a process wherein employees of a firm work(15-20% time) on a personal, often secret, project and later reveal it to the top management.
Examples: 3M post it notes, gmail of Google. I am interested in knowing how they implement this and allocate resources for such projects.
Hello Kashyap,
Implementation of Bootlegging process is similar to R&D or New Product Process or can be considered as pre-process to the above mentioned.
The difference is an Individual or a team who is motivated with that particular innovative idea work secretly and develop a concept. This concept development is carried out through an informal brain storming session (collecting expert opinion informally). Then working model or prototype is developed with available resource. For developing these prototypes, In some companies resources are provided for individual to carry out experimental research. These projects are even termed as pet projects, parallel research. The resources allocated for these projects are not formally allocated, so they don't appear on any action plan or checklists.
Once the prototype is ready and serves the basic application, a proposal is drafted and forwarded to top management for approval. Then the standard process of New product is followed (Idea Screening - Concept Development - Project Evaluation - Development - Launch).
You can refer the following :
Knight, K., 1967, A Descriptive Model of the Intra-Firm Innovation Process, in The Journal of Business, Vol.40, pp. 478–496
Augsdorfer, P., 1996, Forbidden Fruit: an analysis of bootlegging, uncertainty, and learning in corporate R&D, Aldershot
I understand you want to encourage innovation. To do this, there are the monthly, annual and special recognitions for proponents administrative or technological improvements in organization management. Also, mailboxes ideas with small prizes or sweepstakes promotion elements derived from the organization agreements with other companies.
Hello Kashyap, in bootlegging, as a research process, motivated individuals secretly organize the innovation process. Hence, it is important to consider that It usually is a non-programmed activity, organised without the official permission of the responsible management, but for the benefit of the company. It is not in the department’s action plan nor are there any formal resources allocated towards it. Experiences have shown that lack of free space for creativity at workplaces gives rise to bootlegging process. Therefore, it's important to first analyse the causes of bootlegging in any organisation.
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