Go solution 4: A co-creation experiment in the Brazilian public sector

Abstract

In the open innovation model, the process of co-creation of value involves the implementation of interactive practices, by multiple actors, in collaborative spaces for learning and sharing of information and knowledge. More specifically, in the scope of the DEMOLA project, which includes a consortium of Portuguese Polytechnic Institutes, co-creation refers to the participative and collaborative construction of creative solutions, through pedagogical innovation methodologies, with a focus on problem-based learning and the development of innovation processes, together with companies, associations, public entities, municipalities and social organizations. In this perspective, the GO Solutions4 challenge was designed: Government Solutions for Mandatory Telework, in the context of a Brazilian Federal Public Institution, in the area of science, technology and innovation, which had as its starting point the following question: How to act in leading virtual and hybrid teams, reconciling the achievement of institutional results with the promotion of Quality of Life in Telework? For this purpose, a team was created consisting of 6 members: 1 representative of the researched organization; 3 master and undergraduate students in Public Management, Personnel Management and Information Technology; and, 2 professors from the University of Brasilia (UnB) and the University of Évora, under the guidance of 2 facilitators of IPSantarém. Methodologically, the team followed a process composed of three main phases: i) Discovery/Knowledge, ii) Action/Solution Creation, and iii) Delivery, considering a period of 8 weeks. Research techniques and collaborative tools were used such as mind maps, pestel analysis, technical documents analysis, reports and semi-structured interviews with managers of the researched institution, and also affinity diagram, problem tree and future scenarios approach to produce change signals at the level of the proposed challenge. Four main problems related to the challenge designed for the organization's leaders and managers were highlighted: communication, preparation of managers for virtual leadership, social isolation and mental health, and work management and organization. Based on these points of attention, innovative proposals were outlined, among which stand out, the creation of repository of relevant information for the team, frequent and shorter meetings with the team for recognition of the work and necessary revisions in order to strengthen the team for the achievement of collective result; training, among others.