Open Innovation in Regional Innovation Systems: Assessment of Critical Success Factors for Implementation in SMEs

This paper aims to assess the critical success factors (CSF) to implement open innovation (OI) in companies of Regional Innovation Systems. The CSF compiled from the literature were subjected to factor analysis and grouped into five main categories. These factors were transformed into indicators to assess the CSF and verify RIS companies’ stance on OI implementation. The companies were subsequently grouped by similarity to form three distinct clusters in relation to CSF. Cluster analysis revealed a group of companies committed to OI, mostly influenced by service companies, a group of conservative companies or companies with limitations regarding OI, and a third group of companies that resisted this strategy. The results yielded interesting insights about the implementation of open innovation in Regional Innovation Systems that can help to further academic discussions on this topic. Furthermore, this paper provides indicators that managers can use as tools to identify and assess which CSF for OI have the most impact in their business context, and on which CSF they must focus their efforts and improve.