Towards a Theory of Open Innovation: Three Core Process Archetypes
Summary. Open innovation involves companies moving beyond internal R&D by integrating external knowledge sources and commercializing ideas outside their boundaries. This study of 124 companies identifies three core processes: outside-in (acquiring external knowledge from suppliers and customers), inside-out (licensing and selling intellectual property externally), and coupled (forming alliances where companies exchange complementary innovations). These patterns show how companies transform rigid boundaries into permeable structures enabling knowledge flow.
Cite this article
Gassmann, O., & Enkel, E.. (2004). Towards a Theory of Open Innovation: Three Core Process Archetypes. Alexandria (UniSG) (University of St.Gallen).
Gassmann, Oliver, and Ellen Enkel. “Towards a Theory of Open Innovation: Three Core Process Archetypes.” Alexandria (UniSG) (University of St.Gallen), 2004.
Gassmann, Oliver, and Ellen Enkel. 2004. “Towards a Theory of Open Innovation: Three Core Process Archetypes.” Alexandria (UniSG) (University of St.Gallen).
@article{gassmann-2004-towards-theory-open-innovation-three,
title = {Towards a Theory of Open Innovation: Three Core Process Archetypes},
author = {Oliver Gassmann and Ellen Enkel},
journal = {Alexandria (UniSG) (University of St.Gallen)},
year = {2004}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Towards a Theory of Open Innovation: Three Core Process Archetypes AU - Oliver Gassmann AU - Ellen Enkel JO - Alexandria (UniSG) (University of St.Gallen) PY - 2004 ER -
Details
- Categories
- innovation-theory, innovation-networks, general-innovation
- Added
- 2026-04-28