Abstract
Growth, success and survival depend on the capability of the firms to innovate and network continuously. The purpose of this book chapter is to explore the impact of open innovation in the start-up firm growth. SMEs are capable to develop innovation, but not many of them are able to manage the whole innovation process. This implies the need for collaboration of SMEs with others, such as other firms or academic and research institutions. The research approach is based on a single case study by interviewing an innovative firm in Kosovo, Formon 3D Printer. The empirical findings show a low level of open innovation with establishment of Formon 3D. They managed to collaborate with only one professor of University of Prishtina at the beginning stage. Indeed, open innovation has its crucial importantly, especially for start-ups in transition countries. Yet, challenges to effective collaboration still remain as entrepreneurs often question their partners’ commitment to supporting firm growth. This study provides findings valid for innovative private firms in Kosovo, and should not be generalized to other firms in Kosovo, the region or beyond.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Agency for Business Registration. (2017). Basic performance indicators for business registration in Kosovo. Retrieved from https://arbk.rks-gov.net/desk/inc/media/F1D24200-80B8-4255-BDD7-12F833FDC97D.pdf
Ahimbisibwe, G. M., Nkundabanyanga, S. K., Nkurunziza, G., & Nyamuyonjo, D. (2016). Knowledge absorptive capacity: Do all its dimensions matter for export performance of SMEs? World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 12(2), 139–160.
Bamford, J., Gomes-Casseres, B., & Robinson, M. (2003). Mastering alliance strategy: A comprehensive guide to design, management and organization. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Wiley.
Bianchi, M., Orto, S. C., Frattini, F., & Vercesi, P. (2010). Enabling open innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises: How to find alternative applications for your technologies. R and D Management, 40(4), 414–430.
Blankenburg-Holm, D. B., Eriksson, K., & Johansson, J. (1999). Creating value through mutual commitment to business network relationships. Strategic Management Journal, 20, 467–486.
Boudreau, K. J., & Lakhani, K. R. (2009). How to manage outside innovation. MIT Sloan Management Review, 50(4), 69–76.
Chesbrough, H. (2003a). Open innovation: The new imperative for creating and profiting from technology. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Chesbrough, H. (2003b). The era of open innovation. MIT Sloan Management Review, 44(3), 35–41.
Chesbrough, H. (2006). Open business models: How to thrive in the new innovation landscape. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Chetty, S. K., & Stangl, L. M. (2010). Internationalization and innovation in a network relationship context. European Journal of Marketing, 44(11/12), 1725–1743.
Christensen, C. M. (1997). The innovator’s dilemma: When new technologies cause great firms to fail. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Christensen, C. M., & Raynor, M. E. (2003). The innovator’s solution: Creating and sustaining successful growth. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990). Absorptive capacity: A new perspective on learning and innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35, 128–152.
de Jong, J. P., & de Bruijn, E. (2013). Innovative lessons in 3D printing. MIT Sloan Management Review, 54, 42–52.
Dodgson, M., Gann, D., & Salter, A. (2006). The role of technology in the shift towards open innovation: The case of Procter and Gamble. R&D Management, 36(3), 333–346.
Donmoyer, R. (1990). Generalizability and the single-case study. In E. W. Eisner & A. Peshkin (Eds.), Qualitative inquiry in education: the continuing debate (pp. 175–200). New York: Teachers College Press.
Enkel, E., Gassmann, O., & Chesbrough, H. (2009). Open R&D and open innovation: Exploring this phenomenon. R&D Management, 39(4), 311–316.
Fadahunsi, A. (2012). The growth of small businesses: Towards a research agenda. American Journal of Economics and Business Administration, 4(1), 105–115.
Forster, N. (1994). The analysis of company documentation. In C. Cassell & G. Symon (Eds.), Qualitative methods in organisational research. London: Sage.
Grant, R. M., & Baden-Fuller, C. (2004). A knowledge accessing theory of strategic alliances. Journal of Management Studies, 41(1), 61–84.
Gray, C. (2006). Absorptive capacity, knowledge management and innovation in entrepreneurial small firms. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 12(6), 345–360.
Gardet, E., & Mothe, C. (2012). SME dependence and coordination in innovation networks. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 19(2), 263–280.
Gruenberg-Bochard, J., & Kreis-Hoyer, P. (2009). Knowledge-networking capability in German SMEs: A model for empirical investigation. International Journal of Technology Management, 45, 364–379.
Hagedoorn, J., & Duysters, G. (2002). External appropriation of innovative capabilities: The choice between strategic partnering and mergers and acquisitions. Journal of Management Studies, 39, 167–188.
Harding, S. J. (2002). A networking model supporting small and medium enterprises to develop new processes and products. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.
Havnes, P. A., & Senneseth, K. (2001). A panel study of firm growth among SMEs in Networks. Small Business Economics, 16(4), 293–302.
Herzog, P., & Leker, J. (2010). Open and closed innovation: Different innovation cultures for different strategies. International Journal of Technology Management, 52(3), 322–343.
Hossain, M. (2012). Performance and potential of open innovation intermediaries. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 58, 754–764.
Howells, J. (2006). Intermediation and the role of intermediaries in innovation. Research Policy, 35, 715–728.
Huston, L., & Sakkab, N. (2006). Connect and develop: Inside Procter & Gamble’s new model for innovation. Harvard Business Review, 84(3), 58–66.
Jørgensen, F., & Ulhøi, J. P. (2010). Enhancing innovation capacity in SMEs through early network relationships. Creativity and Innovation Management, 19, 397–404.
Keupp, M. M., & Gassmann, O. (2009). Determinants and archetype users of open innovation. R&D Management, 39(4), 331–341.
Konsti-Laakso, S., Pihkala, T., & Kraus, S. (2012). Facilitating SME innovation capability through business networking. Creativity and Innovation Management, 21(1), 93–105.
Kothandaraman, P., & Wilson, D. T. (2001). The future of competition: Value-creating networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 30, 379–389.
Kotorri, M., & Krasniqi, B. A. (2018). Managerial characteristics and export performance–empirical evidence from Kosovo. South East European Journal of Economics and Business, 13(2), 32–48.
Krasniqi, B. A. (2012). Entrepreneurship and small business development in Kosova. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
Krasniqi, B. A., & Mustafa, M. (2016). Small firm growth in a post-conflict environment: The role of human capital, institutional quality, and managerial capacities. International Entrepreneurship Management Journal, 12(4), 1165–1207.
Krasniqi, B. A., & Williams, N. (2018). Migration and intention to return: Entrepreneurial intentions of the diaspora in post-conflict economies. Forthcoming in Post-Communist Economies.
Laforet, S., & Tann, J. (2006). Innovative characteristics of small manufacturing firms. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 13(3), 363–387.
Lajqi, S., & Krasniqi, B. A. (2017). Entrepreneurial growth aspirations in challenging environment: The role of institutional quality, human and social capital. Strategic Change, 26(4), 385–401.
Laursen, K., & Salter, A. J. (2006). Open for innovation: The role of openness in explaining innovation performance among UK manufacturing firms. Strategic Management Journal, 27, 131–150.
Lee, S., Park, G., Yoon, B., & Park, J. (2010). Open innovation in SMEs – An intermediated network model. Research Policy, 39(2), 290–300.
Lichtenthaler, U. (2008). Open innovation in practice: An analysis of strategic approaches to technology transactions. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 55(1), 148–157.
March, J. G. (1991). Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organization Science, 2(1), 71–87.
McCusker, K., & Gunaydin, S. (2015). Research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods and choice based on the research. Perfusion, 30(7), 537–542.
Pasanen, M. (2007). SME growth strategies: Organic or non-organic? Journal of Enterprising Culture, 15(4), 317–338.
Patent iNSIGHT Pro & PatSeer. (2014). 3D printing technology insight report. Retrieved from https://www.patentinsightpro.com/techreports/0214/Tech%20Insight%20Report%20-%203D%20Printing.pdf
Porter, M. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. New York: Free Press.
Pullen, A. J. J., De Weerd-Nederhof, P. C., Groen, A. J., Song, M., & Fisscher, O. A. M. (2009). Successful patterns of internal SME characteristics leading to high overall innovation performance. Creativity and Innovation Management, 18(3), 209–223.
Ramirez, R., & Wallin, J. (2000). Prime movers. Define your business or have someone define it against you. Chichester: Wiley.
Ritchie, J., & Lewis, J. (Eds.). (2003). Qualitative research practice. London: Sage.
Rohrbeck, R., Hölzle, K., & Gemünden, H. G. (2009). Opening up for competitive advantage: How Deutsche Telekom creates an open innovation ecosystem. R&D Management, 39(4), 420–430.
Stabell, C. B., & Fjeldstad, Ø. D. (1998). Configuring value for competitive advantage: On chains, shops, and networks. Strategic Management Journal, 19(5), 413–437.
Thorelli, H. B. (1986). Networks: Between markets and hierarchies. Strategic Management Journal, 7, 37–51.
Vanhaverbeke, W., & Cloodt, M. (2005). Chapter 13: Open innovation in value networks. In Open innovation: Researching a new paradigm. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/2008515/Open_innovation_in_value_networks
Varis, M., & Littunen, H. (2010). Types of innovation, sources of information and performance in entrepreneurial SMEs. European Journal of Innovation Management, 13(2), 128–154.
Von Hippel, E. (2001). Innovation by user communities: Learning from open-source software. MIT Sloan Management Review, 42(4), 82–86.
Vrgovic, P., Vidicki, P., Glassman, B., & Walton, A. (2012). Open innovation for SMEs in developing countries – An intermediated communication network model for collaboration beyond obstacles. Innovations, 14(3), 290–302.
West, J., & Gallagher, S. (2006). Challenges of open innovation: The paradox of firm investment in open source software. R&D Management, 36(3), 319–331.
Wordpress. (2017). The technology of the future is the key to survival. Retrieved from http://www.nanopack.org/the-evolution-of-3d-printing/
Xie, F. T., & Johnston, W. J. (2004). Strategic alliances: Incorporating the impact of e-business technological innovations. The Journal of Business Industrial Marketing, 19(3), 208.
Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case studies: Design and methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mahmutaj, L.R., Krasniqi, B. (2019). Open Innovation in a Start-up Firm. In: Rexhepi, G., Hisrich, R.D., Ramadani, V. (eds) Open Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16912-1_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16912-1_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-16911-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-16912-1
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)