IBM even avoided talking to people outside the corporation for fear that others might claim its ideas. But in today's knowledge economy, corporations function very differently. An economy built on knowledge depends on, and fosters, partnerships. Complex problems like the environment, energy, peace and conflict management are also served through partnerships. First, rapid creation and application of innovative ideas are primary drivers.
Innovation gives temporary advantage to the innovator and long-term advantage to everyone.
The innovations in the 1990's by United States businesses were made possible because progressive companies took advantage of their access to the information and their speed of innovation. It's not the large companies that win the technology competition, but the quick ones. Speed, not size, counts. The rapid exchange of information and ideas, the speed, is enhanced through partnerships. Partnerships enable the rapid assemblage of teams of people whose expertise can efficiently move innovation forward.