Evolution of inbound openness profiles in the innovation practices of small and medium-sized enterprises in Spain and Portugal

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to shed light on the patterns of inbound open innovation practices of SMEs and to explore potential size and country specificities. We base the analysis on data provided by three waves of the Eurostat Community Innovation Survey (CIS) for Spanish and Portuguese firms. The study identifies five innovation clusters with different openness profiles: closed innovators, absorbers of specialised knowledge, acquirers, co-operators and absorbers of industry knowledge. We find no substantial differences between small and medium-sized firms with regards to their innovation profiles, but there are substantial differences between the profiles of Spanish and Portuguese firms and the trends in said profiles. Portuguese firms increasingly rely on technology acquisition and Spanish firms on public institutions. These results could help shape national policy on intellectual property and public research systems, among others.

Drivers of Innovation Capacity and Consequences for Open Innovation

“…Nevertheless, unlike Spain, which has focused on the use of specialized information sources, concerning the inbounds of open innovation, Portuguese companies have focused on the acquisition of technology and the use of external knowledge through Open innovation activities based on structured cooperations and pecuniary activities [89], which has characterized Portuguese companies as incipient in terms of open innovation when compared to companies in other European Union countries [13].…”