Title: The effects of open innovation activity on performance of SMEs: the case of Korea

Authors: Hyukjoon Kim, Yongtae Park

Addresses: Technology Management, Economics and Policy Program, School of Engineering, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shillim-Dong, Kwanak-Gu Seoul 151-742, Korea. ' Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shillim-Dong, Kwanak-Gu Seoul 151-742, Korea

Abstract: Most previous successful open innovation cases originated from large enterprises that have the ability to invest heavily in research and development (R&D) and to generate many new ventures. Conversely, we find only very few successful case studies of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The difference in the number of cases makes us doubt the appropriateness of open innovation strategy for SMEs. In order to show the relevance of open innovation for SMEs, the current study analyses the impact of external activities related to open innovation on innovation output by means of a logistic regression and compares the results with those of large enterprises. Further investigation was done to assess the relative impact of the external activities by means of a Bayesian network method. In conclusion, the empirical analysis shows that not all open innovation activities of SMEs have a positive effect on their innovation output.

Keywords: open innovation; external R&D; external knowledge; external idea; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; Bayesian networks; Korea; SME performance; research and development; SME innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2010.035975

International Journal of Technology Management, 2010 Vol.52 No.3/4, pp.236 - 256

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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