A NETWORK APPROACH TO OPEN INNOVATION AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Though research on open innovation (OI) and strategic alliances has flourished tremendously, the literature could benefit from incorporating theoretical or analytical insights from the field of interorganizational network research. We address this opportunity by proposing ways to analyze the network structures of strategic alliances among organizations. Herein, we contribute to the literature by focusing firstly beyond egocentric perspectives, moving to the whole network level. Second, we incorporate a stakeholder systems approach incorporating different forms of actors. Third, we differentiate between different forms of openness (inbound and outbound innovation) and pecuniary as well as non-pecuniary forms of knowledge exchange in strategic alliances. Finally, we call for longitudinal perspectives to better understand open innovation and strategic alliances processes. We offer propositions that provide conjunctures between network governance features or structures and the concept of open innovation and strategic alliances. These include network features of reciprocity, homogeneity and heterogeneity, tie strength, and network structures and forms of exchanging knowledge in strategic alliances.