Motivators of open innovation use in micro, small and medium sized enterprises

Abstract

The main issue presented in the paper is the use of open innovation (OI) among SMEs. The phenomenon of OI is important as it directly affects the development of these enterprises. With regard to SMEs, open innovation is characterized by certain features which distinguish it from its accepted definition, such as the prevalence of exploration over exploitation. The paper attempts to determine the impact of motivating factors (motivators) on the use of OI among SMEs. Two groups of factors were analyzed, i.e. the needs that SMEs wish to fulfill as a result of the use of OI and the benefits they obtain as a result of the application of this paradigm. The aim of the paper is therefore to analyze the main OI "motivators" with regard to Polish SMEs based on the research carried out within the framework of the project financed by the National Center for Science on the basis of decision number DEC-2012/07/B/HS4/03085.

Keywords: Open innovation, Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Motivators of OI use