Enhancing SME innovation across European regions: Success factors in EU-funded open innovation networks

Cristina Marullo; Philip Shapira; Alberto Di Minin

doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123207

Enhancing SME innovation across European regions: Success factors in EU-funded open innovation networks

Cristina Marullo, Philip Shapira, Alberto Di Minin

IMP Innovation, Strategy and Sustainability

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study examines the funding allocations to Open Innovation (OI) networks involving small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and other organizational actors by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation program (2018–2021). Using a unique dataset of program application information at the participant level, the technological, organizational and locational characteristics of SMEs' OI innovation networks are analyzed. Success in securing funding is found to be linked to host regional innovation performance and to technological distance among SMEs and their partners, while organizational distance has a curvilinear effect. Counter to program objectives, partner heterogeneity has some mixed effects. Insights are offered for SMEs on strategic positioning and to policymakers on the design of future innovation policy initiatives.

Original language	English
Article number	123207
Journal	Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Volume	201
Early online date	16 Jan 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123207
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2024

Keywords

EU regions
Innovation policy
Open innovation
Organizational distance
SMEs
Technological distance

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

Manchester Institute of Innovation Research

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123207Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "Enhancing SME innovation across European regions: Success factors in EU-funded open innovation networks",

abstract = "This study examines the funding allocations to Open Innovation (OI) networks involving small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and other organizational actors by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation program (2018–2021). Using a unique dataset of program application information at the participant level, the technological, organizational and locational characteristics of SMEs' OI innovation networks are analyzed. Success in securing funding is found to be linked to host regional innovation performance and to technological distance among SMEs and their partners, while organizational distance has a curvilinear effect. Counter to program objectives, partner heterogeneity has some mixed effects. Insights are offered for SMEs on strategic positioning and to policymakers on the design of future innovation policy initiatives.",

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AU - Marullo, Cristina

AU - Shapira, Philip

AU - Di Minin, Alberto

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N2 - This study examines the funding allocations to Open Innovation (OI) networks involving small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and other organizational actors by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation program (2018–2021). Using a unique dataset of program application information at the participant level, the technological, organizational and locational characteristics of SMEs' OI innovation networks are analyzed. Success in securing funding is found to be linked to host regional innovation performance and to technological distance among SMEs and their partners, while organizational distance has a curvilinear effect. Counter to program objectives, partner heterogeneity has some mixed effects. Insights are offered for SMEs on strategic positioning and to policymakers on the design of future innovation policy initiatives.

AB - This study examines the funding allocations to Open Innovation (OI) networks involving small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and other organizational actors by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation program (2018–2021). Using a unique dataset of program application information at the participant level, the technological, organizational and locational characteristics of SMEs' OI innovation networks are analyzed. Success in securing funding is found to be linked to host regional innovation performance and to technological distance among SMEs and their partners, while organizational distance has a curvilinear effect. Counter to program objectives, partner heterogeneity has some mixed effects. Insights are offered for SMEs on strategic positioning and to policymakers on the design of future innovation policy initiatives.

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KW - Innovation policy

KW - Open innovation

KW - Organizational distance

KW - SMEs

KW - Technological distance

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DO - 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123207

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JO - Technological Forecasting and Social Change

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Enhancing SME innovation across European regions: Success factors in EU-funded open innovation networks

Abstract

Keywords

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

UN SDGs

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