Collaborative innovation processes have emerged as a force within the landscape of organizational innovation. We explore the emergence of collaborative innovation processes from an Actor-Network Theory and Science and Technology Studies perspective, focusing on the role of focal organizations. We analyze two cases: the creation of international guidelines for avoided emissions and the development of a mandatory repairability index in France. Using a processual approach, we identify three key steps in the emergence process: pioneering, collaborating and aligning. Our findings show that each step involves successive translation processes extending the network of actors both within and outside organizations. Also, innovations become Obligatory Passage Points, stabilizing knowledge and contributing to organizational legitimacy. Furthermore, collaborative initiatives lead to realignment phases within organizations. This research enriches the existing literature on collaborative innovation emergence by providing insights into the dynamics and implications of the process.
