Digital innovation and entrepreneurship through open data-based platforms: Critical success factors for hackathons

Fotis Kitsios; Maria Kamariotou

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14868

Digital innovation and entrepreneurship through open data-based platforms: Critical success factors for hackathons

Heliyon. 2023 Mar 25;9(4):e14868. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14868. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Authors

Fotis Kitsios¹, Maria Kamariotou¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Str., 54636, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Abstract

Despite the fact that hackathons and digital innovation contests have emerged as substantial intermediaries in open innovation and entrepreneurship, knowledge about how hackathons and digital innovation contests impact innovation in cities is restricted. There is also a scarcity of models that aid in the organization and evaluation of digital innovation contests. The purpose of this article is to examine the stages for organizing hackathons and digital innovation contests and identifies factors leading to the successful implementation of open data hackathons and digital innovation competitions. Three hackathons and innovation contests held in Thessaloniki between 2014 and 2018 were studied. The proposed framework provides practitioners with options to hold digital contests while also advancing the state of the art in the fields of open data and innovation competitions. Organizers of hackathon events may find this paper useful because they can learn about the factors that must be taken into account to ensure the success of these events.

Keywords: Digital services; Hackathon; Open innovation; Service innovation; Success.