How open is innovation research?–An empirical analysis of data sharing among innovation scholars

Abstract

We investigate what fosters or inhibits data sharing behaviour in a sample of 173 innovation management researchers. Theoretically, we integrate resource-based arguments with social exchange considerations to juxtapose the trade-off between data as a proprietary resource for researchers and the benefits that reciprocity in academic relations may provide. Our empirical analysis reveals that the stronger scholars perceive the comparative advantage of non-public datasets, the lower the likelihood of data sharing. Expected communal benefits may increase the likelihood of data sharing, while negative perceptions of increased data scrutiny are consequential in inhibiting data sharing. Only institutional pressure may help to solve this conundrum; most respondents would therefore like to see journal policies that foster data sharing.