Open innovation in specialized SMEs: the case of supercars

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence that adopting open innovation (OI) has on the innovativeness and performance of specialized small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper also examines the adoption of OI within a firm’s practices and models, and within the three dimensions of firm sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from 48 specialized SMEs manufacturing supercars were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. SmartPLS software was used to conduct a path analysis and test the proposed framework.

Findings

The findings suggest that high adoption of OI models tends to increase firm innovativeness. Similarly, the adoption of OI practices has a positive effect on innovativeness but to a lesser extent than OI models. The moderation results of innovativeness further show that OI models and practices can benefit the performance of SMEs. Specifically, two dimensions of performance – environmental and social performance – were found to be greatly influenced by OI.

Research limitations/implications

Due to parsimony in the investigated model, this study only focuses on OI adoption as practices and models without considering its drivers or other contingency factors.

Practical implications

This paper could help practitioners in SMEs better understand the benefits of adopting OI to be more innovative but also more sustainable.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on the role of OI practices and models regarding the dimensions of firm sustainability performance by being the first paper to investigate this relationship in the context of small and medium manufacturers of supercars.

Citation

Ramirez-Portilla, A., Cagno, E. and Brown, T.E. (2017), "Open innovation in specialized SMEs: the case of supercars", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 1167-1195. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-10-2016-0211