Where and How to Search? Search Paths in Open Innovation

12 Pages Posted: 2 Apr 2016

See all articles by Henry Lopez-Vega

Henry Lopez-Vega

Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS); Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS)

Fredrik Tell

Linkoping University

Wim Vanhaverbeke

Hasselt University; ESADE Business School

Date Written: February 1, 2016

Abstract

Search for external knowledge is vital for firms’ innovative activities. To understand search, we propose two knowledge search dimensions: search space (local or distant) and search heuristics (experiential or cognitive). Combining these two dimensions, we distinguish four search paths – situated paths, analogical paths, sophisticated paths, and scientific paths – which respond to recent calls to move beyond “where to search” and to investigate the connection with “how to search.” Also, we highlight how the mechanisms of problem framing and boundary spanning operate within each search path to identify solutions to technology problems. We report on a study of 18 open innovation projects that used an innovation inter- mediary, and outline the characteristics of each search path. Exploration of these search paths enriches previous studies of search in open innovation by providing a comprehensive, but structured, framework that explains search, its underlying mechanisms, and potential outcomes.

Keywords: Search, space, heuristics, Organizational search, Innovation, intermediaries, Problem, framing, Boundary, spanning

Suggested Citation

Lopez, Henry and Lopez, Henry and Tell, Fredrik and Vanhaverbeke, Wim and Vanhaverbeke, Wim, Where and How to Search? Search Paths in Open Innovation (February 1, 2016). Research Policy, Vol. 45, p. 125, 2016, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2757284

Henry Lopez (Contact Author)

Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS) ( email )

Jönköping, 55111
Sweden

HOME PAGE: http://https://ju.se/en/personinfo.html?sign=LOPHEN&lang=en

Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS) ( email )

Jönköping, 55111
Sweden

HOME PAGE: http://https://ju.se/en/personinfo.html?sign=LOPHEN&lang=en

Fredrik Tell

Linkoping University ( email )

Överstegatan 30
Linkoping, 581 83
Sweden

Wim Vanhaverbeke

Hasselt University ( email )

Agoralaan - building D
Gebouw D
Diepenbeek, 3590
Belgium
+3216623663 (Phone)
+3216623663 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://wimvanhaverbeke.be

ESADE Business School

Av. de Pedralbes, 60-62
Barcelona, 08034
Spain

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