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Open Innovation in Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises (SMEs): External Knowledge Sourcing Strategies and Internal Organizational Facilitators

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  • Sabine Brunswicker
  • Wim Vanhaverbeke

Abstract

In this paper we explore how small and medium‐sized enterprises () engage in external knowledge sourcing, a form of inbound open innovation. We draw upon a sample of 1,411 and empirically conceptualize a typology of strategic types of external knowledge sourcing, namely minimal, supply‐chain, technology‐oriented, application‐oriented, and full‐scope sourcing. Each strategy reflects the nature of external interactions and is linked to a distinct mixture of four internal practices for managing innovation. Both full‐scope and application‐oriented sourcing offer performance benefits and are associated with a stronger focus on managing innovation. However, they differ in their managerial focus on strategic and operational aspects.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabine Brunswicker & Wim Vanhaverbeke, 2015. "Open Innovation in Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises (SMEs): External Knowledge Sourcing Strategies and Internal Organizational Facilitators," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(4), pages 1241-1263, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ujbmxx:v:53:y:2015:i:4:p:1241-1263
    DOI: 10.1111/jsbm.12120
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    Cited by:

    1. Krzysztof Borodako & Jadwiga Berbeka & Michał Rudnicki, 2021. "Innovation Orientation in Business Services," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 19897.
    2. El Maalouf, Nicole & Bahemia, Hanna, 2023. "The implementation of inbound open innovation at the firm level: A dynamic capability perspective," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Franzò, Simone & Doppio, Nicola & Natalicchio, Angelo & Frattini, Federico & Mion, Luca, 2023. "Designing innovation contests to support external knowledge search in small and medium-sized enterprises," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    4. Codini, Anna Paola & Abbate, Tindara & Messeni Petruzzelli, Antonio, 2023. "Business Model Innovation and exaptation: A new way of innovating in SMEs," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    5. Sami Basly & Yosra Abdelwahed, 2023. "Commitment to Learning and Open Innovation in Family Firms: Exploring the Moderating Effect of Family-to-firm Identity Fit," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(2), pages 420-448, July.
    6. David B. Audretsch & Christina Guenther, 2023. "SME research: SMEs’ internationalization and collaborative innovation as two central topics in the field," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(6), pages 1213-1229, August.
    7. Marzi, Giacomo & Fakhar Manesh, Mohammad & Caputo, Andrea & Pellegrini, Massimiliano Matteo & Vlačić, Božidar, 2023. "Do or do not. Cognitive configurations affecting open innovation adoption in SMEs," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    8. Donbesuur, Francis & Hultman, Magnus & Oghazi, Pejvak & Boso, Nathaniel, 2022. "External knowledge resources and new venture success in developing economies: Leveraging innovative opportunities and legitimacy strategies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    9. Enrico Baraldi & Antonella La Rocca & Andrea Perna & Ivan Snehota, 2020. "Connecting IMP and entrepreneurship research: Directions for future research," Post-Print hal-03181351, HAL.

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