The Handling of External Knowledge in Innovation Processes: Knowledge Management and the Open Innovation Paradigm

Due to different factors, SMEs' innovation processes nowadays are increasingly dependent on external sources. In this paper we discuss the open innovation paradigm and evaluate the characteristics of knowledge transfer in such open innovation processes. We start by analysing concrete innovation processes in three partnering organisations. Based on the results of the analysis, a target concept was developed in close cooperation with the investigated companies. The concept displays all phases of the innovation process with focus on the openness of this process to the external environment, taking into account the challenges and risks as well as requirements of the resource allocation in SMEs. The link between the innovation process flow, the knowledge flow and the tool support is essential for the success of the concept.