Title: Sources of innovation and the use of KIBS by manufacturing firms

Authors: David Doloreux; Mercedes Rodriguez; Richard Shearmur

Addresses: Department of International Business, HEC Montréal, 3000 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal H3T 2A7, Canada ' Department of International and Spanish Economics, University of Granada, Calle Rector López Argüeta s/n., E-18071 (Granada), Spain ' School of Urban Planning, University of McGill, 815 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal H3A 0C2, Canada

Abstract: Using data from a survey of 559 innovative manufacturing firms in Quebec, we analyse knowledge-sourcing strategies adopted by firms and examine the relationship between use of service functions and knowledge-sourcing strategies. Four strategies are identified: low-profile sourcing, internal-oriented sourcing, market-oriented sourcing and full-scope sourcing. The results reveal knowledge-sourcing strategies are linked to a particular mix of service functions, and the different types of services are not equally important across the different knowledge-sourcing strategies.

Keywords: open innovation; sources of innovation; knowledge-intensive business services; KIBS; manufacturing firms; Quebec; Canada.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2021.113694

International Journal of Technology Management, 2021 Vol.85 No.1, pp.78 - 93

Accepted: 01 Nov 2020
Published online: 18 Mar 2021 *

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