Dynamics of Open Innovation in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Metacognitive Approach
Alexandra Milici, Fernando A. F. Ferreira, Leandro Pereira, Elias G. Carayannis, João J. Ferreira
Abstract
Open innovation (OI) is clearly becoming increasingly important to organizations. Studying its impacts has become a challenge as assessing OI possible effects on not only performance but also processes, time, and people is difficult and complex. To move beyond these barriers, this article develops a metacognitive framework that combines cognitive mapping—supported by the strategic options development and analysis approach—and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory technique. This dual methodology facilitates analyses of specific OI-related impacts on small- or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The data were collected from SME managers and entrepreneurs who agreed to participate in an expert panel in face-to-face group meetings. The findings include that the methodologies used facilitate the identification and understanding of cause-and-effect relationships among OI determinants in SMEs, and were validated by the participants and a project manager at COTEC Portugal— <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Associação Empresarial para a Inovação</i> (Business Association for Innovation). This organization is a leading think-and-action network for advancing technology diffusion and business innovation cooperation. The contributions and limitations of the proposed methodology are also analyzed.