Abstract
This study analyses the effects of four types of collaborative activities on the R&D performance of service SMEs in the context of open innovation: in-house R&D (non-collaboration), technology acquisition, R&D collaboration, and networking. For this, the study employs data envelopment analysis, a power tool that uses multiple inputs and outputs to measure the relative efficiency of collaborative activities of service SMEs for R&D. The results indicate that technology acquisition is the most efficient type of collaboration for R&D of service SMEs. More specifically, in-house R&D, technology acquisition, and R&D collaboration are positively related to product/service innovation, patenting activity, and process innovation, respectively. However, networking is not significantly related to any three types of R&D performance. In addition, the service SMEs' strategic focus did not match their strategic purposes, suggesting a need for adjusting their collaborative activities. The results have important implications for managers and policy-makers interested in facilitating open innovation in service SMEs through various collaborative activities.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 349-362 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Innovation: Organization and Management |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Collaboration
- Collaborative activity
- Data envelopment analysis (DEA)
- Efficiency
- Open innovation
- R&D in the service sector
- Service SMEs