Title: Supporting the open innovation process in small and medium enterprises

Authors: Gemma Kearney; Lynn-Sayers McHattie

Addresses: Gray's School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7QD, UK ' School of Design, Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow G3 6RQ, UK

Abstract: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) encounter specific barriers in engaging in innovation. This paper explores the concept of open innovation and how best conditions conducive to this can be created to support SMEs to engage in innovation. It presents chiasma - innovation workshops - as a method towards a collaborative approach that brings together SMEs, designers and academics. Design in action (DiA) is a knowledge exchange hub, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which draws together six universities and art schools across Scotland. Adopting a qualitative approach, the paper presents an ongoing process, whereby the approach emerges from action research in conversation with the actors involved.

Keywords: open innovation workshops; collaboration; designers; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; entrepreneurship; universities; Scotland; chiasma; academics; design in action; knowledge exchange hubs; Arts and Humanities Research Council; AHRC; art schools; action research; entrepreneurial support; entrepreneurs; UK; United Kingdom.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2014.065680

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2014 Vol.23 No.4, pp.552 - 567

Published online: 15 Nov 2014 *

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