Open Innovation in SMEs: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

Newly evolved technologies and multi-faceted researches along the setting of entrepreneurship development, philosophy, framework and business handling have been transformed from being traditional to innovative. Depending on the demand, diversity and nature of the transformation, innovation has been shifted from closed to open paradigm. Ranging from micro to small or, medium to corporate houses are being immensely benefited by the innovation techniques, especially utilizing information and communication technologies (ICTs). However, the road to innovation; despite being seen or taken as a paradigm shift is not quite smooth and not even ready for many, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who mainly deal with the clients at the outer peripheries of the social circle. In spite of being a major economic contributor in many countries, SMEs suffer from various challenges, of inherited nature, often controlled by the social, economic, geographical or cultural grounds and reasons beyond control. This study synthesizes issues of prospects and challenges in adopting open innovation for SMEs by carrying out a longitudinal literature review. Furthermore, the chapter provides a few research hints for researchers and research institutions.