An Open Innovation Model for SMEs

Notwithstanding the paradigm of open innovation that was introduced and studied within large companies, in the last decade, studies on this concept in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have experienced a rapid growth (e.g., van de Vrande et al., 2009; Spithoven et al., 2013). However, several issues remain unexplored. Theories and models for the management of open innovation in this context are not well established in the literature, but are necessary for SMEs’ managers. The aim of this chapter is to understand, through a systematic review of the literature, if and how the specific characteristics and behaviors of SMEs affect their implementation of the open innovation paradigm. Specifically, a “4W open innovation model” including motives, facilitators and hindering factors (Why/why not), type of exchanged knowledge (What), practices and activities (hoW), and actors (With whom) is proposed. The results allow us to point out a future research agenda.