Open Innovation Strategies Applied by SMEs from Mexican Software Clusters. A Multiple Case Study Analysis

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Table of contents
• List of exhibits
• List of tables
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Literature review
• 2.1 Open innovation activities as an element of entrepreneurship
• 2.1.1 Rudiments of innovation and innovative entrepreneurship
• 2.1.2 Distinction of the open innovation approach
• 2.1.3 Benefits and issues of implementing open innovation activities at SMEs
• 2.2 The role of clusters, the local buzz and global pipelines in terms of open innovation
• 2.3 Open innovation activities in the context of Mexican software clusters
• 2.4 The resulting research gap, the research question and corresponding propositions
• 2.4.1 The research gap
• 2.4.2 The research question and propositions
• 3. Methodology
• 3.1 Key methodological choices
• 3.1.1 Research philosophy
• 3.1.2 Research approach
• 3.1.3 Research strategy
• 3.1.3.1 The multiple case study strategy
• 3.1.3.2 The focus on a qualitative approach
• 3.1.3.3 The planned number of cases versus the real outcome
• 3.1.4 Data collection techniques
• 3.2 Sampling, data collection and analysis procedures
• 3.2.1 Sampling strategy
• 3.2.2 Interviews
• 3.2.3 Data analysis
• 3.3 Ethical considerations
• 4. Presentation of data
• 4.1 Case A1, Mexico City
• 4.1.1 Company profile
• 4.1.2 Internal approach towards innovation
• 4.1.3 Significance of the relationships between the company and its environment
• 4.2 Case B1, Monterrey
• 4.2.1 Company profile
• 4.2.2 Internal approach towards innovation
• 4.2.3 Significance of the relationships between the company and its environment
• 4.3 Case B2, Monterrey
• 4.3.1 Company profile
• 4.3.2 Internal approach towards innovation
• 4.3.3 Significance of the relationships between the company and its environment
• 5. Analysis and discussion
• 5.1 Cross-case analysis: observed commonalities across the cases
• 5.1.1 First thematic area: internal approach towards open innovation
• 5.1.2 Second thematic area: external dimension - the local buzz and global pipelines
• 5.2 Cross-case analysis: observed differences between the cases
• 5.2.1 First thematic area: internal attitude towards innovating
• 5.2.2 Second thematic area: external dimension - the local buzz and global pipelines
• 5.3 Discussion
• 5.3.1 Answer to the research question
• 5.3.1.1 Similarities between the firms’ open innovation approaches and the key literature
• 5.3.1.2 Divergences between the firms’ open innovation approaches and the key literature
• 5.3.2 Review of the original propositions
• 6. Conclusions
• 6.1 Lessons learned
• 6.2 Limitations of the conducted research
• 6.3 Recommendations
• 6.3.1 Managerial and political implications
• 6.3.2 Suggestions for future research
• References
• Appendices

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

• This dissertation investigates SMEs from a knowledge-based industrial branch of an emerging economy and the relationship between the practices of their internal innovation management and their outward inter-organisational, transdisciplinary process of sourcing knowledge and ideas for the optimisation of the own absorptive capacity.
• The dissertation includes SMEs as the principal object of observation, which have remained underrepresented in open innovation research in comparison with large corporations from advanced countries.
• The dissertation tackles the dilemma that conclusions drawn from the synergistic environments of clusters situated in industrialised economies may hardly be conveyed to emerging economies.
• The dissertation promotes the specification of the notion of openness not through emphasising the number, but the composition and quality of the linkages between SMEs and their respective collaborators originating from various domains.
• This research project explores the truth behind the assumption that SMEs are able to perform better at innovating than their larger contemporaries because of a higher willingness to take risks and a higher flexibility mirrored by shorter chains of command and less bureaucracy.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1 provides a general overview over open innovation strategies.
• Chapter 2 examines the role of clusters in terms of open innovation and analyses the history of the Mexican software clusters of Mexico City and Monterrey.
• Chapter 3 presents the methodology used in this research project and outlines the sampling, data collection and analysis procedures.
• Chapter 4 provides detailed case narratives of three software SMEs from Mexico City and Monterrey, highlighting their specific approaches to open innovation.
• Chapter 5 analyzes the commonalities and differences between the three cases.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This dissertation focuses on the strategies applied by SMEs from the Mexican software clusters to leverage both local and global resources for knowledge exchange and to promote their own innovation activities. This includes aspects like inclusive and exclusive education, empirical research findings, and studies such as the BiLieF project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Open Innovation" in the context of SMEs?

Open Innovation refers to SMEs using external knowledge sources and collaborations to promote and optimize their own internal innovation activities.

Why focus on Mexican software clusters?

The study addresses a research gap regarding how SMEs in emerging Latin American economies exchange knowledge within local hubs like Mexico City and Monterrey.

What are "local buzz" and "global pipelines"?

"Local buzz" refers to the spontaneous knowledge exchange within a cluster, while "global pipelines" are intentional connections to international knowledge sources.

Are SMEs more flexible in innovating than large corporations?

The research explores the assumption that SMEs perform better due to a higher willingness to take risks, shorter chains of command, and less bureaucracy.

What methodology was used in this dissertation?

The author used a multiple case study strategy featuring semi-structured interviews with CEOs of three software SMEs in Mexico.