The paradigm of open innovation

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the open innovation literature, which examines innovation processes that integrate both internal as well as external partners to gain access to knowledge, ideas, and other resources (Chesbrough, 2003a; Enkel, Gassmann, & Chesbrough, 2009). As such, many scholars in the context of innovation communities refer to this research (Schröder & Hölzle, 2010; di Gangi & Wasko, 2009) and extant literature on the topic is highly relevant in the context of this dissertation. In more detail, a focal advantage of community‐based innovation processes lies in the flexible exchange of knowledge and ideas across boundaries and open innovation scholars offer theoretical arguments for the advantages of such processes.