Title: Open innovation strategies in the UK biopharmaceutical sector

Authors: Călin Gurău; Frank Lasch

Addresses: GSCM-Montpellier Business School, 2300, Avenue des Moulins, Montpellier Cedex 4, 34185, France. ' GSCM-Montpellier Business School, 2300, Avenue des Moulins, Montpellier Cedex 4, 34185, France

Abstract: In the last ten years, the paradigm of open innovation has modified the way in which the research and development process is organised and managed by high-technology firms. However, this model should be adapted to the specific characteristics and conditions of each industrial sector. Using the data collected through interviews with 23 managers of UK biopharmaceutical SMEs, this study attempts to identify the factors that may enhance the capacity of these firms to develop and manage open innovation systems. Findings indicate that the size of the firm, its organisational stage, its capability to develop partnerships and its capacity to identify partner organisations with complementary resources influence the capacity of the biopharmaceutical organisation to implement and manage open innovation systems.

Keywords: open innovation; innovation strategies; biopharmaceutical SMEs; UK biotechnology sector; United Kingdom; small and medium-sized enterprises; high technology; high tech firms; innovation management; biotech firms.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2011.043386

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.420 - 434

Published online: 24 Oct 2014 *

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