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When the paradox of openness meets the paradox of ability-willingness: family ownership and open innovation partnerships

Author

Listed:
  • Feng Dong

    (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies)

  • Minhui Tang

    (Jinan University)

  • Xiao Wang

    (Jinan University)

  • Jiawen Chen

    (Guangzhou University)

Abstract

Although it is of great significance to investigate the paradox of openness in family firms, there remains a lack of research on how it differs when family firms engage in open innovation with different types of partners. By distinguishing open innovation with market- and science-based partners, this paper investigates the direct impact of family ownership on these two types of partnerships and the moderating role of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and political ties. Based on the ability-willingness paradox framework, we hypothesize that family ownership has an inverted U-shaped impact on market-based partnerships while positively impacting science-based partnerships. In addition, the turning point of the relationship between family ownership and market-based partnerships shifts to the right with greater IPR protection or stronger political ties. The positive impact of family ownership on science-based partnerships is strengthened by IPR protection and political ties. These hypotheses are tested using a sample of 649 manufacturing family firms in China. We clarify why and how both the openness and ability-willingness paradox change when family firms collaborate with different open innovation partners and under varying institutional contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Feng Dong & Minhui Tang & Xiao Wang & Jiawen Chen, 2025. "When the paradox of openness meets the paradox of ability-willingness: family ownership and open innovation partnerships," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 65(1), pages 535-559, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:65:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11187-025-01002-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-025-01002-9
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    Keywords

    Open innovation; Family ownership; Intellectual property right protection; Political ties;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • O36 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Open Innovation

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