SME innovation strategy and motivation has become one of the most challenging subjects of innovation policy. New innovation models proposed recently have captured the attention of policy makers. However, these models seem for the most part to be applicable to medium-sized or large enterprises. The objective of this paper is to analyse the open innovation model in the case of outsourced cooperative R&D in SMEs. Although the driving forces for outsourcing innovation in SMEs are in some respects similar to those for large firms, others are linked to lack of resources, but both have in common the pursuit of efficiency in R&D and technology transfer. This paper is based on an empirical study of open innovation in SMEs and proposes a model for analysing the critical elements which influence performance and strategic alignment between R&D performers and their partners (in most cases, SMEs).

The relationship between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and business performance has been a topic of great importance for academics from different areas for several decades. In this sense, this study analyzes the impact of the use of ICT on the diversification strategy of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). From a sample of 95 companies in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, it is evident that diversified companies show a higher level of use of ICTs and that ResumenLa relación entre las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) y el rendimiento empresarial ha sido un tema de gran importancia para los académicos de diferentes áreas durante varias décadas. En este sentido, este estudio analiza el impacto del uso de las TIC en la estrategia de diversificación de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYME). De una muestra de 95 empresas de la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco, es evidente que las empresas diversificadas muestran un mayor nivel de uso de las TIC y que este recurso afecta positivamente el grado de diversificación internacional y el rendimiento empresarial. Para el análisis estadístico descriptivo y correlacional de las variables, se utilizó el software SPSS.Palabras clave: TIC, diversificación, internacionalización, rendimiento.

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IJITM is a refereed and highly professional journal covering information technology, its evolution and future prospects. It addresses technological, managerial, political, economic and organisational aspects of the application of IT. Contents: The IJITM publishes: original papers; review papers; technical reports; case studies; conference reports; book reviews and notes; and commentaries and news. Contribution may be by submission or invitation, and suggestions for special issues and publications are welcome. Commentaries on papers and reports published in IJITM are encouraged. Authors will have the opportunity to respond to the commentary on their work before the entire treatment is published.