AI-native platforms create new opportunities for customers and Managed Services providers to innovate together. However, continuous innovation also requires clear agreements on collaboration, decision-making and shared responsibilities. This master's thesis explores how existing co-creation frameworks can support this collaboration within AI-native platform ecosystems.

Research on innovation ecosystems shows that value creation increasingly takes place through collaboration between multiple parties. Existing research on co-creation provides models and approaches for structuring such collaboration, including joint value creation, facilitation and different phases of collaborative development.

At the same time, research on AI-based software systems shows that these systems introduce additional challenges related to lifecycle management and governance. AI-based systems may require continuous monitoring and adaptation, while governance responsibilities extend across design, development and operations and involve multiple stakeholders.

However, it remains unclear how existing co-creation approaches can be applied to collaboration between customers and Managed Services providers within AI-native platform environments. In particular, it is not yet clear how well existing approaches describe how responsibilities for continuous experimentation, AI governance, decision-making, and platform development should be distributed in this context. Therefore, existing co-creation frameworks need to be evaluated to determine what adaptations are required for AI-native platform services.

The Assignment

Research question:

How can existing co-creation frameworks be adapted to support continuous innovation between customers and Managed Services providers within AI-native platform ecosystems?

You will first conduct a literature review of existing co-creation frameworks and innovation ecosystem frameworks. In doing so, you will identify the principles used to organize collaboration and value creation. You will then investigate the characteristics of AI-native platform services and the challenges they introduce for collaboration between customers and Managed Services providers.

Through interviews with stakeholders and the analysis of one or more Managed Services cases, you will examine the extent to which existing co-creation approaches address these requirements. You will also identify the areas in which adaptations are needed.

Based on these findings, you will adapt an existing co-creation framework into a structured approach for AI-native platform services. The framework should clarify how customers and Managed Services providers collaborate in areas such as joint decision-making, experimentation, governance, ownership and continuous platform development.

The proposed framework will be evaluated with relevant experts.

About Info Support

Info Support specializes in custom software, data/AI solutions, management, and training and is active in the Finance, Industry, Agriculture, Food & Retail, Mobility & Public, and Healthcare sectors. We provide solid and innovative solutions for complex and critical software issues. Our headquarters are located in Veenendaal (NL) and Mechelen (BE). At present, approximately 500 employees are employed by Info Support.

Info Support's working method is characterized by a number of core values: solidity, integrity, craftsmanship, and passion. These core values are intertwined in our work and the way we interact with each other.

To ensure that all employees are always up to date with the latest developments, Info Support has an in-house IT Academy that eagerly satisfies the hunger for more or different knowledge and skills.

B2 language proficiency in Dutch is required.