Riškevičienė, Vilma

Purpose: The study aims to examine how the structural design of corporate hackathons and teamlevel interaction processes influence innovation outcomes, with a particular focus on prototype quality, originality, and feasibility. The research contributes to the understanding of hackathons as instruments of corporate innovation within an open-in-novation framework. Methodology: An exploratory mixed-method research design was applied, combining qualitative observations and quantitative evaluations of eight interdisciplinary teams participating in a five-day corporate hackathon. Data were analysed to identify relational patterns between hackathon design characteristics, team microdynamics, and innovation outcomes assessed by an expert jury. Findings: The results indicate that innovation performance is systematically associated with two key dimensions: Organizational Clarity and Team Competence. Clear problem formulation and accessible mentorship were identified as critical design factors positively influencing technical feasibility and overall project quality. Teams demonstrating higher levels of complementary expertise and effective collaboration produced more original and implementable solutions. Originality: The study develops a Hackathon Design Framework that integrates structural design elements, team-level processes, and innovation outcomes into a unified conceptual model. By conceptualising corporate hackathons as temporary open-innovation systems, the research advances theoretical understanding of short-term innovation mechanisms and provides practical guidance for organisations seeking to enhance innovation capability and competitive advantage through hackathon-based initiatives.

Hackathons, originally rooted in the software and technology sectors, have evolved into powerful tools for corporate innovation. Today, organizations across diverse industries use them to accelerate idea generation, boost employee engagement, and strengthen competitive positioning. However, despite their growing popularity, the mechanisms by which hackathons drive innovation within firms remain underexplored in academic literature, particularly from the standpoint of innovation theory and strategic management. Much of the existing research is fragmented across disciplines such as healthcare, education, and computer science, lacking a unified framework for understanding hackathons as instruments of organizational innovation.  This study addresses that gap by examining hackathons as structured innovation development mechanisms. Drawing on a comprehensive review of scholarly sources, we investigate the definitions, theoretical foundations, and practical implementations of corporate hackathons. The paper develops a conceptual model that delineates the phases, design components, critical success factors, and post-event integration processes necessary to foster sustainable innovation outcomes. Our findings suggest that hackathons support corporate innovation by enabling rapid experimentation, attracting entrepreneurial talent, and cultivating internal knowledge-sharing communities. Moreover, they provide a low-risk environment conducive to intrapreneurship and openness to change. This article contributes to the academic discourse on innovation and organizational learning by situating hackathon practices within strategic innovation frameworks. It also offers actionable insights for practitioners on how to effectively design, implement, and leverage hackathons to drive competitive advantage in dynamic and uncertain business environments.