ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the three digital publishing case studies that centre on product development and lead to a digital product. The cases are presented individually first, exploring their formation, operation and outcomes. The consumer case reveals a collaboration with a variety of different creative individuals, and the publisher acts as an investor; processes of operation reflect a creative and learning space where everyone participates in creative thinking and problem solving; the experimental nature of the project means that the outcomes are as much centred on creativity as on commercial expectations. The educational project has a key broker role that mediates between two organisations; flexible approaches to management are key to its success, as are the autonomy and seniority of the team; the outcomes reflect some compromises alongside creativity. The academic case presents a detailed development process involving a small team, a project management style that combines formality and informality and particular challenges facing the project once it is up and running about how to keep it maintained. All projects are then discussed: they share characteristics around trust, network behaviour, experimentation, hybrid management styles and attitudes to risk. All reflect systems that encourage creativity, participation and learning – building small, flexible, collaborative organisations in order to innovate.
