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Containing the Not-Invented-Here Syndrome in external knowledge absorption and open innovation: The role of indirect countermeasures

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  • Hannen, Julian
  • Antons, David
  • Piller, Frank
  • Salge, Torsten Oliver
  • Coltman, Tim
  • Devinney, Timothy M.

Abstract

This paper builds new theory and provides supporting evidence to contain the Not-Invented-Here Syndrome (NIHS) – a persistent decision-making error arising from an attitude-based bias against external knowledge. Conceptually, we draw on the 4i framework of organizational learning to develop a novel process perspective on NIHS. This allows us not only to unpack how and where NIHS impedes organizational learning, but also to identify the key requirements for effective NIHS countermeasures. Importantly, countermeasures fall into two categories: those that seek to change the negative attitude directly (direct NIHS countermeasures) and those that seek to attenuate the behavioral impact of negative attitudes without addressing the attitudes as such (indirect NIHS countermeasures). While the evidence base on direct NIHS countermeasures has grown over the last decade, indirect NIHS countermeasures have received little research attention. To address this gap, we adopt a mixed methods research design composed of two complementary empirical studies – the first qualitative and the second quantitative. Study 1 explores the prevalence of distinct NIHS countermeasures in collaborative R&D practice. Based on 32 interviews and three focus group meetings with R&D employees, we find that a broad array of primarily direct NIHS countermeasures is employed in R&D practice. Study 2 addresses the scarcity of scholarly and managerial insights on indirect NIHS countermeasures by testing the effectiveness of perspective taking as a debiasing technique to contain negative attitudes at the level of the individual. Based on quantitative survey data from 565 global R&D projects, it provides empirical evidence not only for the prevalence and negative effects of NIHS on project success as mediated by external knowledge absorption, but also for the effectiveness of perspective taking as an exemplary indirect NIHS countermeasure.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannen, Julian & Antons, David & Piller, Frank & Salge, Torsten Oliver & Coltman, Tim & Devinney, Timothy M., 2019. "Containing the Not-Invented-Here Syndrome in external knowledge absorption and open innovation: The role of indirect countermeasures," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:48:y:2019:i:9:19
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2019.103822
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    1. Zahoor, Nadia & Gabriel Pepple, Dennis & Choudrie, Jyoti, 2021. "Entrepreneurial competencies and alliance success: The role of external knowledge absorption and mutual trust," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 440-450.
    2. Amann, Marie & Granström, Gabriel & Frishammar, Johan & Elfsberg, Jenny, 2022. "Mitigating not-invented-here and not-sold-here problems: The role of corporate innovation hubs," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    3. Dahlander, Linus & Gann, David M. & Wallin, Martin W., 2021. "How open is innovation? A retrospective and ideas forward," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(4).
    4. Ismail, Muhammad & Bello-Pintado, Alejandro & García-Marco, Teresa & Lazzarotti, Valentina, 2023. "Enhancing open innovation: Managing not invented here syndrome in collaborative projects," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    5. Xiaoxiao Shi & Qingpu Zhang, 2020. "Network inertia and inbound open innovation: is there a bidirectional relationship?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 122(2), pages 791-815, February.
    6. Arias-Pérez, José & Vélez-Jaramillo, Juan, 2022. "Ignoring the three-way interaction of digital orientation, Not-invented-here syndrome and employee's artificial intelligence awareness in digital innovation performance: A recipe for failure," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    7. Marion A. Weissenberger-Eibl & Tim Hampel, 2021. "Bridging the gap: integrating external knowledge from open innovation platforms," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(7), pages 1-32, July.
    8. Harm-Jan Steenhuis & Xin Fang & Tolga Ulusemre, 2020. "Global Diffusion of Innovation during the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Case of Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-34, February.
    9. Ahammad, Mohammad Faisal & Basu, Shubhabrata & Munjal, Surender & Clegg, Jeremy & Shoham, Ofra Bazel, 2021. "Strategic agility, environmental uncertainties and international performance: The perspective of Indian firms," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(4).
    10. Viktor Prokop & Michaela Kotkova Striteska & Jan Stejskal, 2021. "Fostering Czech firms’ innovation performance through efficient cooperation," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 12(3), pages 671-700, September.
    11. Broekhuizen, Thijs & Dekker, Henri & de Faria, Pedro & Firk, Sebastian & Nguyen, Dinh Khoi & Sofka, Wolfgang, 2023. "AI for managing open innovation: Opportunities, challenges, and a research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    12. Shaikh, Ibrahim & Randhawa, Krithika, 2022. "Managing the risks and motivations of technology managers in open innovation: Bringing stakeholder-centric corporate governance into focus," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    13. Stroh, Tim & Mention, Anne-Laure & Duff, Cameron, 2023. "The impact of evolved psychological mechanisms on innovation and adoption: A systematic literature review," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    14. Ogink, Ruben H.A.J. & Goossen, Martin C. & Romme, A. Georges L. & Akkermans, Henk, 2023. "Mechanisms in open innovation: A review and synthesis of the literature," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    15. Marullo, Cristina & Ahn, Joon Mo & Martelli, Irene & Di Minin, Alberto, 2022. "Open for innovation: An improved measurement approach using item response theory," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Not-Invented-Here Syndrome; Decision-making; Countermeasures; Debiasing; Open innovation; Knowledge absorption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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