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Knowledge-driven preferences in informal inbound open innovation modes. An explorative view on small to medium enterprises

Veronica Scuotto (School of Business and Enterprise, The University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK)
Manlio Del Giudice (Department of International Business Administration, The Link Campus University, Rome, IT and the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, RUS)
Stefano Bresciani (Department of Management, University of Turin, Turin, Italy)
Dirk Meissner (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia)

Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

Article publication date: 8 May 2017

2459

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate three key factors (i.e. cognitive dimensions, the knowledge-driven approach and absorptive capacity) that are likely to determine the preference for informal inbound open innovation (OI) modes, through the lens of the OI model and knowledge-based view (KBV). The innovation literature has differentiated these collaborations into informal inbound OI entry modes and formal inbound OI modes, offering an advocative and conceptual view. However, empirical studies on these collaborations are still limited.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the above-mentioned theoretical framework, the empirical research was performed in two stages. First, data were collected via a closed-ended questionnaire distributed to all the participants from the sample by e-mail. Second, to assess the hypotheses, structural equation modelling (SEM) via IBM® SPSS® Amos 20 was applied.

Findings

The empirical research was conducted on 175 small to medium enterprises in the United Kingdom, suggesting that the knowledge-driven approach is the strongest determinant, leading to a preference for informal inbound OI modes. The findings were obtained using SEM and are discussed in line with the theoretical framework.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the chosen context and sector of the empirical analysis, the research results may lack generalisability. Hence, new studies are proposed.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of informal inbound OI led by knowledge-driven approach.

Originality/value

This paper offers an empirical research to investigate knowledge-driven preferences in informal inbound OI modes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The paper was prepared within the framework of the Basic Research Program at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and supported within the framework of the subsidy granted to the HSE by the Government of the Russian Federation for the implementation of the Global Competitiveness Program.

Citation

Scuotto, V., Del Giudice, M., Bresciani, S. and Meissner, D. (2017), "Knowledge-driven preferences in informal inbound open innovation modes. An explorative view on small to medium enterprises", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 640-655. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-10-2016-0465

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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