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Purpose of the paper: This paper explains to what extent open strategy draws on open innovation, and how different degrees of open strategy exist because of the adoption of open innovation. Methodology: Since the relationship between open innovation and open strategy represents an empirically under-explored research area, we adopt an exploratory multiple case study design to develop new theoretical and empirical insights pertaining to this topic. Findings: The present study reveals that open strategy is grounded in the implementation of an open innovation approach and that, once developed, it may, in turn, affect open innovation implementation. Moreover, our results show how the degree of “openness” of the strategy depends on the extent to which the firm shares information with external stakeholders and transforms external inputs in open strategy actions/interventions. Research limits: Given the exploratory nature of this study, the conceptual linkages between open innovation and open strategy may represent a starting point for future research in this area, which requires further empirical validation. Practical implications: Our theoretical framework may be useful for practitioners to approach an open strategy starting from open innovation implementation. Furthermore, it displays two variables, i.e. stakeholder engagement and open communication, that managers should control to regulate the openness of their strategy. Originality of the paper: The present study represents a first attempt to explore a theoretical connection between open innovation and open strategy from the firm’s perspective.

One of the most important non-radiative relaxation processes that limits the quantum yield of a fluorophore is related to aggregation of the molecules in the solid-state causing excimer quenching. To limit this quenching mechanism, the fluorophore can be contained within a well-ordered 3D system that minimises aggregation through rigid bonds and spatial separation in a defined topological construct. Herein, the synthesis, characterisation and application as a down-converter of a new luminescent 3D material (MOF-BTBMBA) that incorporates a building block based on a benzothiadiazole (BT) derivative (BTBMBA) in a metal–organic framework (MOF) is presented. Notably, the photoluminescence quantum yield and hybrid LED performance are significantly improved for the MOF-based device compared to that prepared with the free ligand, highlighting the effectiveness of the rigid scaffold arrangement.

A new triaryl molecule based on a benzene–benzothiadiazole–benzene core has been applied in a WOLED device. This very simple molecule emits from a combination of emissive states (exciton/electromer/exciplex/electroplex) to give white light with CIE coordinates of (0.38, 0.45) and a colour temperature of 4500 K.

The influence of different thiophene donor units on electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of benzothiadiazole based donor–acceptor π-conjugated organic materials is studied. Two different structure modification vectors of the donor units are being considered – one addressing the intermolecular interactions through off-conjugation side chain architecture, and the other focusing on intramolecular interactions tuned by in-conjugation substituents. Electrochemical and simultaneous in situ EPR-UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical studies of the oxidative (p-) and reductive (n-) doping processes, which are responsible for the optoelectronic properties of these materials, revealed their disparate course and dissimilar effects of redox reactions of the conjugated π-bond. While p-doping prevalent species were found to comprise intensively interacting spin bearing and spinless charge carriers, the n-doping state was found to involve only one type of negatively charged carrier, with spin carrying species being selectively generated at due cathodic potentials. No spin pairing of these negative polarons was observed with their increasing population behaving like a collection of localised charge carriers. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between the p- and n-doping carrier populations provided independent support for the spin pairing phenomena of positive charge carriers. Steric effects of varying alkyl side chain substitution have demonstrated predominant impact on the electrochemical properties of investigated polymers, and, thereto related, stability of n-doped state, while mesomeric effects of different 3,4-ethylenechalcogenide thiophene functionalities have been found to shape the energy level related spectral properties of these polymers, with particular reference to p-doping induced charged states. These findings provide new insights into the factors requiring attention during structure tailoring of donor–acceptor assemblies for organic optoelectronic applications.

A new interface engineering method is demonstrated for the preparation of an efficient white organic light-emitting diode (WOLED) by embedding an ultrathin layer of the novel ambipolar red emissive compound 4,4-difluoro-2,6-di(4-hexylthiopen-2-yl)-1,3,5,7,8-pentamethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (bThBODIPY) in the exciplex formation region. The compound shows a hole and electron mobility of 3.3 × 10-4 and 2 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1, respectively, at electric fields higher than 5.3 × 105 V cm-1. The resulting WOLED exhibited a maximum luminance of 6579 cd m-2 with CIE 1931 color coordinates (0.39; 0.35). The bThBODIPY dye is also demonstrated to be an effective laser dye for a cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC) laser. New construction of the ChLC laser, by which a flat capillary with an optically isotropic dye solution is sandwiched between two dye-free ChLC cells, provides photonic lasing at a wavelength well matched with that of a dye-doped planar ChLC cell.

The synthesis and characterisation of two novel organic down-converting molecules is disclosed, together with their performance as functional colour-converters in combination with inorganic blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each molecule contains two fluorene-triphenylamine arms, connected to either a benzothiadiazole or bisbenzothiadiazole core. These molecules have been selected on the basis that they are free from absorption bands in the green region of the visible spectrum to maximise their performance and offer improvements compared with previous BODIPY-containing analogues. The inorganic InGaN/GaN LED emits at 444 nm, overlying the absorption of each of the organic molecules. The combination of the blue (inorganic) and yellow (organic) emission is shown to produce reasonable quality, white light-emitting hybrid devices for both down-converter molecules. Cool to warm white light is achieved for both molecules by increasing the concentration. An optimum colour rendering index (CRI) value of 66 is obtained for the mono-benzothiadiazole molecule. Also a high blue-to-white efficacy (defined as white luminous flux (lm)/blue radiant flux (W)) of 368 lm W$^{-1}$ is achieved, superseding the current phosphor converters of 200-300 lm W$^{-1}$. A comparison of these down-converting molecules to the older generation BODIPY-containing molecules is also provided.

We consider the roles of heteroatoms (mainly nitrogen, the halogens and the chalcogens) in dictating the conformation of linear conjugated molecules and polymers through non-covalent intramolecular interactions. Whilst hydrogen bonding is a competitive and sometimes more influential interaction, we provide unambiguous evidence that heteroatoms are able to determine the conformation of such materials with reasonable predictability.

Past research developed a new theoretical framework, named Corporate Customership, that specifies the link between three fields most concerned with innovation: corporate entrepreneurship (CE), IT value-co-creation and user-centered innovation (DI). At the goal of this article is to clarify the core components of the relationship between firm and customer and deepen the basic dimensions of this new theoretical framework, in order to build up the defining aspects and boundaries of Corporate Customership, its context and form, and identifying possible developments for further research.

We offer a theory of innovation that links corporate entrepreneurship and value-co-creation, theories usually separated in the management and organizational literature. We show how firms’ innovations are shaped by the relationship between organizations and customers and how information technology (IT) can enhance this process. We then introduce a new construct, corporate customership, to convey the joint process of innovation realized by the firm and the customer and enabled by IT.

Information Technology (IT) development, in recent years, deeply changed the relationship between firm and customer, leading to an important shift in their respective roles. Nowadays, the customer has to be seen as a key player of this relationship, carrying out an active and important contribution in the phase of product development. Despite a growing interest for this topic, the importance of how and why some specific organizations seem to be more effective at executing channel interactions and co-creating value with customers remains underspecified. To address this gap, we try to explain, through a case analysis, the multi-channel strategy that Nike developed with the so called “ID service” in the Italian market scenario and how its basic principles can be a foundation to generate value over time through customer collaboration. In particular, this study explores the role of IT-enabled value co-creation in this domain.