This investigation examines recent literature from management science, social computing and design to develop a framework for understanding the mechanisms that would enable open innovation platforms to more effectively address the most pressing areas of human need reported and reportable by such systems. The many challenges that must be overcome to solve the creative, ethical, and strategic focus problems implicit in existing open innovation systems are described. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for research on such systems, including how highly contextual end-user needs can be satisfied to encourage entrepreneurship and market success. This will only be possible if participants contributing to open innovation systems are enabled to leverage the power of the system for themselves, leading to increasingly open innovation environments.