Open Innovation, An Integrated Framework towards understanding Open Innovation in SMEs, A Multiple Case Study on Swedish SMEs
(2018) BUSN09 20181Department of Business Administration
- Abstract
- Problem: The open innovation research landscape is comprised of complex and fuzzy concepts, theories, and frameworks, as researchers have developed and relied on varying theoretical concepts that encompass diverse dimensions. The bulk of such research within this space is seen to be constituted by large companies with a lack of consideration for SMEs. Therefore, a framework and guideline that highlights how SMEs pursue open innovation and subsequently, the managerial and organizational implications associated with the processes utilized by such companies is yet to be explicitly defined, and thus, requires further investigation.
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to, depict how open innovation is being pursued by SMEs; resulting in... (More) - Problem: The open innovation research landscape is comprised of complex and fuzzy concepts, theories, and frameworks, as researchers have developed and relied on varying theoretical concepts that encompass diverse dimensions. The bulk of such research within this space is seen to be constituted by large companies with a lack of consideration for SMEs. Therefore, a framework and guideline that highlights how SMEs pursue open innovation and subsequently, the managerial and organizational implications associated with the processes utilized by such companies is yet to be explicitly defined, and thus, requires further investigation.
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to, depict how open innovation is being pursued by SMEs; resulting in the development of a framework that highlights a set of factors that are most noticeably relevant and influential in the open innovation process for such companies. By creating this framework, the aim is to contribute to the current open innovation research landscape by attempting to propose an integrated framework that covers factors from the current open innovation theories as well as findings derived from an empirical study. By conducting this study, the researchers aim to establish a working framework that may be utilized towards the further investigation on an explicitly defined framework for SMEs.
Method: To achieve the purpose of this study, an abductive research approach was adopted, complemented by an exploratory research design that was facilitated by a multiple case study consisting of two Swedish SMEs. The data collected from the case study was achieved through the use of semi- structured in-depth interviews and was subsequently analysed through the use of a template analysis and a pattern matching procedure.
Findings: The findings suggest that, in addition to the coupled process that existing literature has indicated, SMEs make use of the outside-in (inbound) approach when pursuing open innovation. In essence, SMEs are seen to be sourcing knowledge, expertise, and technology through non-monetary means from actors such as suppliers, customers, and competitors. In doing so, SMEs should consider timing and the use of an intermediary as influential factors. The awareness of timing allows for greater coordination between projects centered on the company's core business and those that cater towards open innovation activities. Hence, allowing for an open innovation culture to be created that strengthens the company’s absorptive capacity. Moreover, the study recognizes that intermediaries within the outside-in process can be utilized to explore the external environment through the use of their systematic approaches. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8953345
- author
- Sheerbahadursing, Arjun LU and Arnold, Randy LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- BUSN09 20181
- year
- 2018
- type
- H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
- subject
- keywords
- Open Innovation, SMEs, Open Innovation Framework, Open Innovation Motives, Open Innovation Capacities, Open Innovation Processes, Innovation, Barriers of Open Innovation
- language
- English
- id
- 8953345
- date added to LUP
- 2018-07-03 16:07:17
- date last changed
- 2018-07-03 16:07:17
@misc{8953345,
abstract = {{Problem: The open innovation research landscape is comprised of complex and fuzzy concepts, theories, and frameworks, as researchers have developed and relied on varying theoretical concepts that encompass diverse dimensions. The bulk of such research within this space is seen to be constituted by large companies with a lack of consideration for SMEs. Therefore, a framework and guideline that highlights how SMEs pursue open innovation and subsequently, the managerial and organizational implications associated with the processes utilized by such companies is yet to be explicitly defined, and thus, requires further investigation.
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to, depict how open innovation is being pursued by SMEs; resulting in the development of a framework that highlights a set of factors that are most noticeably relevant and influential in the open innovation process for such companies. By creating this framework, the aim is to contribute to the current open innovation research landscape by attempting to propose an integrated framework that covers factors from the current open innovation theories as well as findings derived from an empirical study. By conducting this study, the researchers aim to establish a working framework that may be utilized towards the further investigation on an explicitly defined framework for SMEs.
Method: To achieve the purpose of this study, an abductive research approach was adopted, complemented by an exploratory research design that was facilitated by a multiple case study consisting of two Swedish SMEs. The data collected from the case study was achieved through the use of semi- structured in-depth interviews and was subsequently analysed through the use of a template analysis and a pattern matching procedure.
Findings: The findings suggest that, in addition to the coupled process that existing literature has indicated, SMEs make use of the outside-in (inbound) approach when pursuing open innovation. In essence, SMEs are seen to be sourcing knowledge, expertise, and technology through non-monetary means from actors such as suppliers, customers, and competitors. In doing so, SMEs should consider timing and the use of an intermediary as influential factors. The awareness of timing allows for greater coordination between projects centered on the company's core business and those that cater towards open innovation activities. Hence, allowing for an open innovation culture to be created that strengthens the company’s absorptive capacity. Moreover, the study recognizes that intermediaries within the outside-in process can be utilized to explore the external environment through the use of their systematic approaches.}},
author = {{Sheerbahadursing, Arjun and Arnold, Randy}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Open Innovation, An Integrated Framework towards understanding Open Innovation in SMEs, A Multiple Case Study on Swedish SMEs}},
year = {{2018}},
}