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Managerial microfoundations of open innovation failure: evidence from romanian SMEs

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  • Anh Nguyen Duc

    (Université Paris-Saclay, UEVE - Université d'Évry-Val-d'Essonne, LITEM - Laboratoire en Innovation, Technologies, Economie et Management (EA 7363) - UEVE - Université d'Évry-Val-d'Essonne - Université Paris-Saclay - IMT-BS - Institut Mines-Télécom Business School - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris])

  • Simona Grama-Vigouroux

    (SCBS GROUPE YSCHOOLS)

  • Elena Avram

    (TUIAŞI - Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași = Universitatea Tehnică Gheorghe Asachi din Iași)

  • Nidhi Priya

    (XLRI - Xavier School of Management)

  • Mihaela Mihaela Brindusa

    (TUIAŞI - Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași = Universitatea Tehnică Gheorghe Asachi din Iași)

Abstract

Open innovation (OI) is often associated with higher innovation performance, yet implementation failures remain pervasive among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Individual level OI failure is still undertheorized, although SME managers are the key agents enacting inbound and outbound OI. Drawing on Upper Echelons Theory (UET), this study examines how managers' personal factors contribute to OI failure. We conducted an inductive qualitative study with 23 Romanian SME managers, triangulated with national OI reports. Findings show that failure is constructed through tensions between managers' self-professional identity and the OI context, yielding four recurring profiles including collaborator, opportunist, closed-minded, and laissez-faire. The tensions may also stimulate learning, as failure consequences reshape sensemaking and subsequent OI choices. Our study specifies the microfoundations of OI failure and proposes a managerial profile framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Anh Nguyen Duc & Simona Grama-Vigouroux & Elena Avram & Nidhi Priya & Mihaela Mihaela Brindusa, 2026. "Managerial microfoundations of open innovation failure: evidence from romanian SMEs," Post-Print hal-05633770, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05633770
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