Cooperation with External Agents and Non-technological Innovations

Cooperation for innovation: impact evidence for European manufacturing SMEs

“…Concerning non-technological innovations, cooperation with customers is particularly relevant for marketing innovations (Pippel, 2014;Sánchez-Gonzáles, 2014). Customers' needs and preferences may also significantly contribute to the introduction of organizational innovations, particularly those focusing on firms' external relations.…”

“…Regarding non-technological innovations, cooperation with competitors may allow firms to realize and adopt successful organizational structures of their rivals (Pippel, 2014). In addition, firms can develop and implement joint pricing and promotion strategies, or, if cooperating in designing new products, firms can engage in a common marketing strategy for a jointly developed new product (Pippel, 2014;Sánchez-Gonzáles, 2014). However, all potential pitfalls of cooperating with competitors on technological innovations, such as opportunistic behavior and restrictive knowledge sharing, can arise in cooperating on non-technological innovations (Pippel, 2014;Sánchez-Gonzáles, 2014).…”

“…In addition, firms can develop and implement joint pricing and promotion strategies, or, if cooperating in designing new products, firms can engage in a common marketing strategy for a jointly developed new product (Pippel, 2014;Sánchez-Gonzáles, 2014). However, all potential pitfalls of cooperating with competitors on technological innovations, such as opportunistic behavior and restrictive knowledge sharing, can arise in cooperating on non-technological innovations (Pippel, 2014;Sánchez-Gonzáles, 2014). Pippel (2014) further recognizes that, when cooperating for organizational innovations, competing firms might experience mimetic isomorphism (Garcia-Pont and Nohria, 2002), i.e.…”

“…Furthermore, the role of consultants in undertaking organizational and marketing innovations is derived from their potentially broad knowledge base. Namely, consultants can provide an extensive and expert knowledge in many areas relevant for introducing non-technological innovations (Pippel, 2014;Sánchez-Gonzáles, 2014).…”

“…Cassiman and Veugelers, 2002;Chun and Mun, 2012); iii) the impact of cooperation on innovation performance (e.g. Zeng et al, 2010;Lasagni, 2012;Tomlinson and Fai, 2013;Pippel, 2014;Sánchez-Gonzáles, 2014); iv) the impact of cooperation on firm performance (e.g. Belderbos et al, 2004b;Faems, van Looy, and Debackere, 2010;Lasagni, 2012;Zeng et al, 2010).…”