Open Innovation Implementation - An empirical analysis on Portuguese firms

The implementation of Open Innovation practices is becoming increasingly important for firms seeking to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment. The aim of this study is to understand the degree of Open Innovation Implementation in Portuguese firms. This research adopted a descriptive-exploratory design and mono-method quantitative approach, relying on a single data collection method and applying quantitative techniques for data analysis. An online survey was used to collect data, which was sent to a random sample of Portuguese firms, resulting in a total of 199 valid responses. The first finding reveals a moderate degree of Open Innovation Implementation among the sample of Portuguese firms. In particular, the findings reveal a higher implementation of Open Innovation in larger firms. The second finding reveals and partially confirms a statistically positive relationship between Open Innovation Implementation and firm size. This underlines the advantages large firms have in terms of resource availability, formalization and absorptive capacity in accordance with current literature. The third finding reveals and statistically rejects a relationship between Open Innovation Implementation and industry, within the sample. This may suggest that Open Innovation may represent a strategic imperative across the business landscape, regardless of industry-specific characteristics. In the study, practical and policy recommendations can be acknowledged by managers and policy makers, emphasizing the importance of understanding that organizational, managerial, technological, and contextual factors foster successful Open Innovation Implementation. The absence of significant industry effects in Open Innovation Implementation also implies that Open Innovation strategies and policies can be developed in a cross-sectoral manner, rather than tailored strictly by industry. This research contributes to the characterization of Open Innovation Implementation in Portuguese firms and with understanding if and how demographic characteristics, such as firm size and industry, are related with the implementation of Open Innovation in Portuguese firms.