Conceptual framework and hypotheses

Zusammenfassung

In this study, a conceptual framework is employed, which is grounded in the theory of the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm applied to innovation management. The RBV is based on the works of Penrose and Wernerfelt and understands firms as bundles of resources. These bundles differ across firms and industries and persist over time. In general, the RBV postulates that a firm’s sustainable competitive advantage is based on its unique resources and their interactions. So far, it has been stressed that Open Innovation is about integrating different resources and capabilities that originate from a variety of internal and external sources. Since the RBV emphasizes the bundling of unique resources, it is crucial for the understanding of Open Innovation.