The aim of this thesis is to investigate how to redesign Indirect Sales Channel to a Distribution Network. The research proves the significance of applying Open Innovation structures. Analyzed is the idea of knowledge sharing tool-crowdsourcing platform to foster the growth and success of the Indirect Sales.Open Innovation strategies incorporate elements of crowdsourcing techniques into the business model to solve the challenge of motivating external sources of information. The purpose to create the platform is to understand organizational phenomena through intense dialogue, action and reflection carried out by optimized software.The paper/research starts from stating some theory of Crowdsourcing and Channel Management and Distribution; then, the author analyzes the situation of the Engineering Plastics Industry. Furthermore, a case study on Bayer MaterialScience Company gives some insiders’ points of view on how to make use of the Open Innovation Platform to gain its customer insights. Finally, some recommendations have been put forward to at the end of the paper. |