Human side of open innovation

: review, analysis and recommendations

Abstract

In recent years, open innovation (OI) has emerged as a prominent field of study within management and innovation literature, focusing on the collaborative and open nature of various organizational processes. However, much of the research in this area has been dominated by a firm and technological perspective, with limited attention paid to the human aspects of OI. As such, this thesis aims to address this research gap by conducting a comprehensive review of the OI with focus on human side and individual (micro) perspective. The study involves a systematic review of 54 articles published in top-tier management journals, which are analysed using thematic analysis and content analysis techniques. The review highlights the importance of factors such as trust, communication, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and leadership in facilitating successful OI practices. Moreover, it underscores the critical role of social and cultural factors in shaping the human dynamics of OI. Based on the findings, the thesis proposes research questions that aim to shed further light on the human dimensions around OI, and how they can be leveraged to enhance innovation outcomes. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the role of human factors in OI, and by providing insights that can inform the design of effective OI strategies.

Date of Award	25 Sept 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Božidar Vlačić (Supervisor) & Jorge Julião (Co-Supervisor)