This article investigates how Brazilian basic sanitation companies carry out open innovation processes. The research was carried out in two phases: sending questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 30 (thirty) managers. The results show that all the companies surveyed demonstrated that many ideas “escape” to the market, mainly through the actions of suppliers. In addition, six investigated companies adopt outside-in open innovation. The study also led to the classification of a new type of open innovation: semi-coupled open innovation. Co-creation efforts are mainly carried out with suppliers and universities. Intellectual property management is carried out only in some companies through patents. The research and development area has the following roles: facilitator, intermediary and innovation diffusion engine. From the exposed results, it is possible to realize that open innovation can be adaptable to different scenarios, within which organizations are inserted. In addition, this type of innovation can have different types of openness, which determines a change of mindset within companies.
Keywords:
Open Innovation; Innovation; Innovative Activities; Basic Sanitation