Building capabilities for external knowledge sourcing: Training and Innovation in Small firms

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
pp. 15446
Author(s):  
Licia Cerini ◽  
Nilanjana Dutt ◽  
Charles Williams
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Knowledge Sourcing ◽  
External Knowledge

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNAL KNOWLEDGE GENERATION AND EXTERNAL KNOWLEDGE SOURCING FOR SME INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM IRELAND

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (07) ◽  
pp. 1950069
Author(s):  
JUSTIN DORAN ◽  
NOIRIN McCARTHY ◽  
MARIE O’CONNOR
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Process Innovation ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Knowledge Sourcing ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

This paper analyses the knowledge sourcing, transformation, and exploitation stages of the innovation value chain for a sample of Irish small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) using Community Innovation Survey data. It explores the role of internal research and development (R&D) and external knowledge on SMEs’ innovation and performance. The open innovation paradigm, which stresses the importance of external linkages, is used to examine the impact of different external knowledge sources on SMEs’ innovation. The consideration of external linkages in the innovation performance of SMEs is crucial as these firms may be constrained in their ability to perform R&D due to their size. The analysis expands the traditional CDM methodology beyond the consideration of research and development as the sole source of knowledge for innovation by also considering a range of potential external knowledge sources. The findings indicate that SMEs generate knowledge internally through the performance of R&D, while also exploiting linkages to external agents. However, the impact of external sources of knowledge is not uniform. The results suggest that backward linkages have a positive impact on SME product innovation, but negatively affect SME process innovation, while public knowledge sources are positively related to the probability of product innovation occurring. This may have important policy implications. Finally, process innovation is also found to be a key determinant of SME productivity, while product innovation has no impact on SME performance.

External information sourcing and lead-time advantage in product innovation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 709-726
Author(s):  
Kristof Van Criekingen
Keyword(s):  
Lead Time ◽  
External Information ◽  
Knowledge Sourcing ◽  
Community Innovation Survey ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Sourcing Strategy ◽  
Advantageous Position ◽  
Changing Economy

PurposeHaving a short throughput time for innovation projects, i.e. lead-time, can put firms in an advantageous position. The time that lapses between a project’s start and its completion, is influenced not only by the firm's internal capabilities but also by how the firm connects to external knowledge. This paper assesses the relation between knowledge sourcing and lead-time advantage.Design/methodology/approachThis paper empirically tests the relation between external knowledge sourcing and lead-time advantage based on firm level Community Innovation Survey (CIS) data.FindingsI find that breadth and depth of the external knowledge sourcing are positively relating to lead-time advantage, albeit with diminishing returns. Investment into absorptive capacity, i.e. internal R&D, mitigates the diminishing of returns. Firms directing their external knowledge sourcing strategy toward consumers, suppliers and science are better able to capitalize on their innovations through lead-time advantages and firms also benefit from the special case of collaboration for product development.Originality/valueThe conceptual novelty of this research largely consists in empirically bringing together for the first time conceptualizations of external knowledge sourcing and the strategic use of lead-time. Given the prevalence of both concepts in the modern and fast changing economy, investigating this link is of great importance.

Does external knowledge sourcing matter for innovation? Evidence from the Spanish manufacturing industry

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 637-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Vega-Jurado ◽  
A. Gutierrez-Gracia ◽  
I. Fernandez-de-Lucio
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Knowledge Sourcing ◽  
External Knowledge

Organizing for External Knowledge Sourcing

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
MASSIMO G. COLOMBO ◽  
LARISSA RABBIOSI ◽  
TOKE REICHSTEIN
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sourcing ◽  
External Knowledge

scholarly journals The Effect of External Knowledge Sources on Organizational Innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-79
Author(s):  
Shoaib Abdul Basit
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Community Innovation Survey ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
External Actors ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Firms increasingly depend on external actors for the process of generating innovation. Interaction with these actors might occur through an official collaboration agreement or via external actors as the source of information. Objectives: Although open innovation has received more attention, still less is known about its effect on organizational innovation. To fill this gap, this study investigates the impact of various external knowledge sources on the willingness of small and mediumsized enterprises to introduce organizational innovation. Methods/Approach: To achieve the proposed objective, the German Community Innovation Survey conducted in 2017 is used for the econometric analysis. Results: Different external sources of knowledge are relevant for the introduction of organizational innovation in small firms (customers in the private sector, competitors, conferences, and crowdsourcing) compared to medium-sized firms (customers in the private sector and industry associations). Conclusions: External knowledge sources are more important for small firms compared to medium firms, and those small firms are more likely to use various sets of external knowledge.

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