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Joint forces: Towards an integration of intellectual capital theory and the open innovation paradigm

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  • Barrena-Martínez, Jesús
  • Cricelli, Livio
  • Ferrándiz, Esther
  • Greco, Marco
  • Grimaldi, Michele

Abstract

Intellectual capital (IC) is among the most long-lived topics in managerial literature. More recently, the emergence of the open innovation (OI) paradigm has encouraged the understanding that firms should collaborate with other organizations to leverage their own R&D capabilities. We propose that these two streams of managerial literature should join forces since the OI paradigm could be considered an approach to innovation with foundations in relational capital, facilitated by an appropriate level of human and structural capital. Surprisingly, only a few researchers have put IC and OI into relation. Therefore, this paper has two main goals: providing a theoretical model that synoptically presents how IC and OI overlap and testing the theoretical model by analyzing how firms’ IC affects OI-related performance. We analyze a sample of 3744 Spanish firms. We find that the three IC constructs positively affect OI performance, with relational and human capital subject to diminishing returns.

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  • Barrena-Martínez, Jesús & Cricelli, Livio & Ferrándiz, Esther & Greco, Marco & Grimaldi, Michele, 2020. "Joint forces: Towards an integration of intellectual capital theory and the open innovation paradigm," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 261-270.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:112:y:2020:i:c:p:261-270
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.10.029
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    3. Vittorio Corsi, 2022. "Human Resource Management and Diversity Management. Some Emerging Evidence about the Effects on Organizational Performance," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 12(2), pages 1-2.
    4. Cricelli, Livio & Greco, Marco & Grimaldi, Michele, 2021. "An investigation on the effect of inter-organizational collaboration on reverse logistics," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    5. Kowalski Arkadiusz Michał & Mackiewicz Marta, 2022. "Behavioral additionality: the role of cooperation with research institutions in fostering technological maturity of enterprises," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 58(2), pages 179-191, June.
    6. Andreeva, Tatiana & Garanina, Tatiana & Sáenz, Josune & Aramburu, Nekane & Kianto, Aino, 2021. "Does country environment matter in the relationship between intellectual capital and innovation performance?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 263-273.
    7. Wu, Haizhen & Han, Zhao'an & Zhou, Yong, 2021. "Optimal degree of openness in open innovation: A perspective from knowledge acquisition & knowledge leakage," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    8. Madugba Joseph Ugochukwu & Egbide Ben-Caleb & Uzondu Anoruoh Paul & Oparah Vivian Iheaku & Adesola Deborah Ayomide, 2023. "Intellectual Capital Value Addition and the Efficient Assets Management of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria," Folia Oeconomica Stetinensia, Sciendo, vol. 23(2), pages 241-260, December.
    9. Wang, Chenxiao & Qureshi, Israr & Guo, Feng & Zhang, Qingpu, 2022. "Corporate social responsibility and disruptive innovation: The moderating effects of environmental turbulence," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1435-1450.
    10. Grimaldi, Michele & Greco, Marco & Cricelli, Livio, 2021. "A framework of intellectual property protection strategies and open innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 156-164.
    11. Torres de Oliveira, Rui & Verreynne, Martie-Louise & Steen, John & Indulska, Marta, 2021. "Creating value by giving away: A typology of different innovation revealing strategies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 137-150.
    12. Qian Wang & Luqun Xie & Di Zhu, 2024. "Educational level of researchers in spin-out R&D units and external technology acquisition: The higher, the more?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 236-261, February.
    13. 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).
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    15. Oleg Sergeevich Sukharev, 2023. "Intellectual Firm: Key Features and Development Models," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(2), pages 1091-1119, June.

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