Question: 1. The collaborative strategy seems to have been beneficial for NKT Flexibles.
a. What are the exact advantages of the collaborative strategy in R&D?
b. Why could NKT Flexibles not just undertake all R&D in-house?
c. What is the reaction among employees if R&D tasks are outsourced?
d. How can the company appropriate value from these collaborative partnerships?
2. However, the strategy comes with some costs.
a. What are these costs?
b. What can NKT Flexibles do in order to minimize the risks?
c. How can the company protect its knowledge?
3. In order to make the partnership viable in the long run, both parties needed to benefit from it.
a. How can partnerships be set up so that both partners gain from the collaboration?
4. Not all partners are equal. It might be that certain partners are better for certain types of knowledge, etc.
a. What type of knowledge can best be tapping into among:
1) universities,
2) customers, and
3) suppliers?
b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of collaborating with these types of partners?