The identification and characterization of open innovation profiles in Italian SMEs

‘Open innovation’ (OI) denotes a company’s ability to draw on a range of external sources to meet their needs for innovation. Very few empirical analyses have been conducted on the extent to which this new paradigm is embedded in small and medium firms (SMEs). Thus, the present study’s objective is to identify and characterize different profiles of OI in SMEs, considering the openness of the innovation process phases, variety and breadth of collaborations, determinants, barriers and motivations. A survey was carried out among Italian SME manufacturing firms, and a database of 105 companies was obtained. With regard to data elaboration, a factorial and cluster analysis was conducted, and three different OI profiles emerged: selective low open, unselective open upstream and mid-partners integrated open. The different behaviours of the three clusters in terms of determinants, performance, contextual factors, barriers and motivations were analysed and discussed.