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Challenges to open innovation in traditional SMEs: an analysis of pre-competitive projects in university-industry-government collaboration

Author

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  • Alberto Bertello

    (University of Turin)

  • Alberto Ferraris

    (Ural Federal University)

  • Paola Bernardi

    (University of Turin)

  • Bernardo Bertoldi

    (University of Turin)

Abstract

Governments are increasingly focusing their efforts on stimulating innovation within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As a result, university-industry-government collaboration is gaining importance among the agenda of policymakers to enable open innovation in SMEs. However, these inter-organisational relationships often fail to meet expectations, especially when projects are oriented to pre-competitive R&D. Nevertheless, the literature has not yet provided sufficient evidence of the challenges related to the participation of traditional SMEs (i.e., low- and medium-low tech SMEs) in this specific type of collaboration. We collected qualitative data to analyse longitudinally three pre-competitive projects, exploring the main challenges faced by traditional SMEs. We have bracketed the projects in four phases: initiation and planning phase, execution phase, closing phase, and monitoring and control phase. For each of these phases we have individuated firm- and project-level challenges, providing practical and theoretical insights for open innovation scholars.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Bertello & Alberto Ferraris & Paola Bernardi & Bernardo Bertoldi, 2022. "Challenges to open innovation in traditional SMEs: an analysis of pre-competitive projects in university-industry-government collaboration," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 89-104, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:intemj:v:18:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11365-020-00727-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11365-020-00727-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vitor Anes & António Abreu & Ana Dias & João Calado, 2023. "A New Approach for Agile Teams’ Allocation in Open Innovation Projects," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Ana León-Gómez & José Manuel Santos-Jaén & Daniel Ruiz-Palomo & Mercedes Palacios-Manzano, 2022. "Disentangling the impact of ICT adoption on SMEs performance: the mediating roles of corporate social responsibility and innovation," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(3), pages 831-866, September.
    3. Ahmad, Najid & Youjin, Liu & Žiković, Saša & Belyaeva, Zhanna, 2023. "The effects of technological innovation on sustainable development and environmental degradation: Evidence from China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    4. Hao Jing & Guimin Qu & Ning Qi, 2023. "Influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Open Innovation of Military-Civilian Integration Enterprises in China: The Mediating Effect of Organization Legitimacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Agapi Dima & Eleni Arvaniti & Chrysostomos Stylios & Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos & Dimitris Skalkos, 2022. "Adapting Open Innovation Practices for the Creation of a Traceability System in a Meat-Producing Industry in Northwest Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-13, April.
    6. Feng Li & Yalong Wang, 2022. "Study on the Evolutionary Game of Cooperation and Innovation in Science and Technology Town Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-23, July.
    7. Istipliler, Baris & Bort, Suleika & Woywode, Michael, 2023. "Flowers of adversity: Institutional constraints and innovative SMEs in transition economies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

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