Insights into the relationship between open innovation and external knowledge acquisition in technology-based South Korean SMEs

• Published in: International Journal of Innovation (São Paulo) 2023, Vol.11 (2)
• Main Authors: Lima Ruas, Roberto, Suhyeon, Park, Oliveira Ouros, Leticia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acquisition of external knowledge; adquisición de conocimiento externo; and South Korea; aquisição de conhecimento externo; based companies; e Coréia do Sul; empresas de base tecnológica; empresas de base tecnológica y Corea del Sur; Innovación abierta; Inovação aberta; Open innovation; PMEs; PYMES; SMEs; technology
• ISSN: 2318-9975; 2318-9975

Objective:To analyze evidence of the logic of open innovation in South Korean SMEs operating in the information technology segment, considering as a reference the main elements used by them in the processes of acquiring external knowledge (CE).Methodology:The method used is qualitative, exploratory and interpretative, employing a systematic literature review to develop the research instruments. The fieldwork was supported by 9 semi-structured interviews with managers/professionals from the 7 SMEs investigated, and was carried out in the Seoul region, South Korea. Content analysis and the Atlas TI program were used to analyze the data. To discuss the results, the Snowball search method was used, supported by Google Scholar and Chatgpt 4.0 to organize the relationship between the results.Results:The analysis of CE acquisition processes used in South Korean SMEs required the construction of analytical references based on the theories used. The analysis revealed evidence of the logic of open innovation in the EC acquisition processes of SMEs. Relevant aspects were also identified regarding the management and processes of EC acquisition among SMEs, which can be recovered as contributions to the academic debate and management practices .Originality/value:Studies dealing with the relationship between open innovation and absorptive capacity, especially in a technologically advanced environment such as the ICT segment in South Korea, are not very common. In addition to these particular empirical conditions, the theoretical field provided relevant connections between open innovation and ACAP, which constitute opportunities for future studies Objetivo:Analisar evidências da lógica da inovação aberta em PMEs sul-coreanas atuando no segmento de tecnologia da informação, considerando como referência os principais elementos empregados por elas nos processos de aquisição de conhecimento externo (CE). Metodologia:O método empregado é qualitativo, exploratório e interpretativo, emprega revisão sistemática da literatura para elaborar os instrumentos de pesquisa. O campo foi sustentado em 9 entrevistas semiestruturadas com dirigentes/profissionais das 7 PMEs investigadas, e foi realizado na região de Seul, na Coréia do Sul. Na análise dos dados foi empregada a análise de conteúdos e o programa Atlas TI. Para a discussão dos resultados foi usado o método de busca Snowball, apoiado no Google Scholar e no Chatgpt 4.0 para a organização da relação entre os resultados.Resultados:A