Cristina Marullo

Case Studies on Open Innovation in ICT

This report synthesizes the results of 13 case studies on innovative ICT and ICT-enabled companies across Europe. It aims to assess the impact of Open Innovation strategies (OISs) on their innovation processes and to highlight the role played by ICT.

The “Hidden Costs” of Open Innovation in SMEs: From Theory to Practice

This study explores the process of open innovation (OI) implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with the aim of shedding light on the factors that may either enhance or undermine effectiveness in different contexts. The hypothesis of different paths of OI implementation is shaped across three theoretical dimensions: (1) the combination of open innovation approaches (the choice of the governance mode); (2) the type of knowledge exchanged (scientific knowledge, technological knowledge, product/ market knowledge); and (3) the sectoral innovation system to which the company belongs (characterized by different technological opportunities, innovation sources, and appropriability regimes). A multiple case study design has been adopted in order to investigate how and why the process of OI implementation in SMEs may be bounded by “hidden costs” hampering effectiveness. The study delivers four different paths of OI implementation (science-oriented, technology-driven, application-oriented, and community-driven) and demonstrates that SMEs in each path differently seek opportunities and face different risks.

Can Large Firms Really Leverage Radical Innovation? In Search of New Dimensions and Strategies

Emerging trends in the digitization of product and services, the increased relevance of distributed and combinatory innovation as well as the sharing (collaborative) economy are urging the need for...