Title: Independent inventors and inbound open innovation: using a resource-based approach to create a tool for screening inventor approaches in order to facilitate technology in-licensing

Authors: Gavin Smeilus; Robert J. Harris; Andrew Pollard

Addresses: University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK ' University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK ' University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK

Abstract: Open innovation literature identifies independent inventors as a source of novel external knowledge. This knowledge may be licensed into an organisation in order to supplement internal R&D activity, typically as part of an inbound open innovation strategy. In opening an organisation up to approaches from individuals the capacity of the core team to identify promising licensing opportunities is diminished by the sheer volume and variable quality of approaches received. Based on a survey of 202 UK independent inventors this paper utilises a resource-based approach to identify the key resources possessed by successful independent inventors. Using this data, we devise a preliminary screening tool to facilitate technology in-licensing from independent inventors.

Keywords: independent inventors; licensing; open innovation; new product development; NPD; resource-based view; RBV; technology marketing; screening; inventor approaches; technology in-licensing; key resources.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTMKT.2013.054078

International Journal of Technology Marketing, 2013 Vol.8 No.2, pp.102 - 126

Received: 26 Jul 2012
Accepted: 08 Feb 2013
Published online: 28 Feb 2014 *

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