Open Innovation and Knowledge Management in Small and Medium Enterprises

The book studies the interplay between open innovation and knowledge management issues in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With the proliferation of the open innovation paradigm and against the backdrop of increasing external knowledge transfer activities, knowledge management is more important than ever for innovation and firm performance of any type of organization. In fact, knowledge management is no longer a pure intra-organizational activity but constitutes a vital interface function between the organization and its external partners/stakeholders.

Throughout the book, readers will obtain both a broad overview of the two main concepts namely open innovation and knowledge management and its interplay. In addition, research will be presented which will help the readers to develop and/or expand their understanding of the phenomenon. This broad approach can also support in broadening the mindset regarding the topic under investigation and its application. Thereby, this book will primarily focus on SMEs and their approach with respect to the interplay in question.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned aim, the book consists of ten chapters that are assigned to three parts. Part 1 introduces to the main concepts, namely, SMEs, Open Innovation, Knowledge Management, and the interplay between open innovation and knowledge management in SMEs. This is followed by Part 2, which provides empirical research insights into the phenomenon of interest. The book concludes with Part 3 which addresses promising future avenues regarding the study of open innovation and knowledge management in SMEs. All the chapters are written by leading international researchers in the respective fields, which makes the book a unique piece of work.

Susanne Durst is an Associate Professor (Reader) at the School of Business at the University of Skövde and a Professor of Business Administration at the Universidad del Pacífico (Peru). She is also the leader of the research group knowledge and innovation management (KIM) at the School of Business at University of Skövde. Her research interests include small business management, SME succession/transfers, knowledge management, knowledge risk management and corporate governance. She has been conducting several national and international research projects on knowledge management, SME business transfers, marketing, corporate governance and innovation management. Her work has been awarded with different awards, including the Transeo Academic Award in 2012 and has been published in international peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Knowledge Management, Prometheus, International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Creativity and Innovation Management, and International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research. Before joining academia, she worked in different positions with private enterprises of different industries.

Serdal Temel earned his PhD from Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Economics. He has been working as a researcher at Ege University Science and Technology Center since 2000 and is responsible for university-industry cooperation, technology transfer, R&D, and innovation projects. Dr Temel worked as a manager of the Aegean Innovation Relay Centre (IRC-Ege), which was one of the centers within the EU. Dr Temel has taken an active role over 30 national and EU projects and has more than 35 articles and book chapters on innovation, R&D, university-industry collaboration and entrepreneurship published in the international peer-reviewed journals. Currently, he is vice Director of Ege University Technology Transfer Office and Head of Ege University Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Visiting Associate Professor at Southampton University Business School. Dr Temel is also a recipient of the prestigious Newton Advanced Fellowship.

Helio Aisenberg Ferenhof holds a post-doc position at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) and is an associate member of the research group Knowledge and Innovation Management (KIM) at the School of Business at University of Skövde. His research areas include knowledge management, innovation, intellectual capital, project management, service management, product development and computer science. Before joining academia, he worked as system developer, system analyst, project manager and consultant in different industries. In 2010, he received a prize of innovation from Nancy-Université - INPL, 'Prix d'innovation - à l'évenément international - 48H pour faire émerger des idées'. He has published in international peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Intellectual Capital, Very Informal Newsletter on Library Automation, Journal of Cleaner Production, International Journal of Knowledge and Systems Science, Iberoamerican Journal of Project Management (IJoPM), British Food Journal, Brazilian Journal of Operations and Production Management and Navus Revista de Gestão e Tecnologia.