Hackathon design in radical and virtual collocations : a descriptive comparative case study in a municipal organization

Abstract

This paper addresses the hackathon design in radical and virtual collocation. Specifically, it focuses on the differences the radical and virtual collocations poses for hackathon design in a municipal innovation management context. Although used in a variety of contexts for idea management, hackathons particularly examined in the municipal context, and as a comparative study regarding their different collocations has not yet been the focus of hackathon research. Therefore, this paper presents a case study research in a Swedish municipality with future demands due to growth, carrying out intra-organizational hackathons both in radical and virtual collocations. As a result, the paper reveals the differences in terms of the design choices. The paper contributes to the literature on hackathon as an innovation contest in a municipal organization context and presents practical implications.