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Entrepreneurial acquisitions, open innovation and UK high growth SMEs

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  • Suzanne Mawson
  • Ross Brown

Abstract

This paper examines the dynamics of entrepreneurial acquisitions undertaken by UK high growth small and medium enterprises (SMEs). While entrepreneurial acquisitions are increasingly deployed by SMEs, little is known about their antecedents, motivational drivers and organisational outcomes. Drawing on detailed case study evidence from Scotland, the key factor found to be driving these acquisitions was the desire to augment and exploit technological complementarities between the acquiring and acquired firms. Acquisition can therefore be conceptualised as an advanced stage of the outside-in ‘open innovation’ strategies proactively used within these innovative SMEs. Firms executing this strategy typically have an acute propensity for risk, a desire for close customer engagement, effective business models and strong external orientation. The work suggests that greater attention should be paid within M&A theory to the dynamics of these types of smaller scale entrepreneurial acquisitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzanne Mawson & Ross Brown, 2017. "Entrepreneurial acquisitions, open innovation and UK high growth SMEs," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(4), pages 382-402, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:indinn:v:24:y:2017:i:4:p:382-402
    DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2016.1244764
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    Cited by:

    1. Zilja, Flladina & Benito, Gabriel R.G. & Boustanifar, Hamid & Zhang, Dan, 2023. "CEO wealth and cross-border acquisitions by SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(6).
    2. Cappa, Francesco & Collevecchio, Francesca & Oriani, Raffaele & Peruffo, Enzo, 2022. "Banks responding to the digital surge through Open Innovation: Stock market performance effects of M&As with fintech firms," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    3. Zahoor, Nadia & Al-Tabbaa, Omar, 2020. "Inter-organizational collaboration and SMEs’ innovation: A systematic review and future research directions," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(2).
    4. Yannis Caloghirou & Ioannis Giotopoulos & Alexandra Kontolaimou & Aggelos Tsakanikas, 2022. "Inside the black box of high-growth firms in a crisis-hit economy: corporate strategy, employee human capital and R&D capabilities," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 1319-1345, September.

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