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Learning with startups: an empirically grounded typology

Annika Steiber (Department of Management, Menlo College, Atherton, California, USA)
Sverker Alänge (Institute for Management of Innovation and Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Vincenzo Corvello (Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy)

The Learning Organization

ISSN: 0969-6474

Article publication date: 4 November 2020

Issue publication date: 13 May 2021

1591

Abstract

Purpose

Corporate-startup collaboration is an opportunity for inter-organizational learning. This paper aims to develop an empirically grounded typology to guide researchers and managers in choosing a model that is coherent with the underlying learning processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research consisted of three phases. First, 30 large companies were interviewed to identify different models of interaction. Second, eight different models and cases were selected, and a list of key characteristics of each model was drawn based on the empirical data, obtaining a first typology. Third, the typology was tested, improved and validated on nine corporations.

Findings

The main result of the study is an empirically grounded typology of models for corporate-startup interaction and inter-organizational learning. Six dimensions distinguish each model from the others.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to extend the literature on inter-organizational learning through different models of corporate-startups interaction. It also contributes to organizational ambidexterity theory, showing how collaboration with startups can improve exploitation and exploration.

Practical implications

The typology provides an instrument for analyzing and selecting operational models for corporate-startup collaboration and learning. The models can be modified or broadened, creating new hybrids.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel way of looking at corporate-startup relations by studying them through the lens of organizational learning theory. It explains the existence of different inter-organizational arrangements and provides guidance in selecting the correct model.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on research funded by the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova’s program “Innovation Management – research for increased innovation capability” (2014-2019).

Citation

Steiber, A., Alänge, S. and Corvello, V. (2021), "Learning with startups: an empirically grounded typology", The Learning Organization, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 153-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-04-2020-0061

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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