Robert M. Bauer is Associate Professor of Organization and Innovation at Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria. His research focuses on innovation, specifically, explaining and shaping creative processes as well as their individual, organizational and regional antecedents. He has a particular interest in digital economies and crowd-based organizing. Robert was a visiting professor for several years at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, a leading institution in the field of ‘Design Thinking’. His study of potential cultural usages of the historic industrial area Tabakfabrik Linz forms the basis for the future development of this precinct. He is currently leading a project that explores the link between governmental policies and actions, and regional capacities for technical, economic, cultural and social innovation. His works have appeared in German books and journals as well as in international journals such as Information Systems Journal, Organization, and Organization Science.