COOPERATION OF SMALL, MEDIUM (SME’S) AND LARGE ENTERPRISES IN THE CONTEXT OF OPEN INNOVATION

Abstract

The advent of "open innovation" is determined by such factors as globalization and the rapid development of technology and dissemination of electronic communication. The current model called "closed innovation" relies on creating innovative solutions only in the framework of single company became ineffective. Open innovation quickly penetrate sphere between businesses, organizations and even branches and sectors of the economy, becoming today a factor increasing the competitiveness of enterprises. Open innovation is usually used by small and medium-sized
enterprises that use solutions and ideas of external R & D units and expert knowledge, employees and customers associated with the company. Pro-innovative activity of SMEs leads to the systematic development of both the company and its products. Consequently, this increases the ability of creativity, reduces time and diffusion of new solutions, creates a new, innovative image and allows to constantly competing companies to rapidly changing markets. Among the top three objectives of the cooperation of large Polish companies with the SME sector are creating new products, improve existing products and create new technology. As part of the R & D, majority of large companies (64%) does not cooperate in the creation of joint laboratories with the SME sector, does not create a joint research teams (45%) and expert teams (45%). In most cases, the taken activities are mostly sporadic (51%), less systematic (27%) and the most often incidental (22%). Analysis of the research indicates that the relationship between these entities in the context of open innovation occurs. The dominant role is played mostly by the large companies, in which they play essential role of the cooperation initiator in all studied areas. The research was carried out in the framework of a research project funded by the Polish
government on the issue of DEC-2012/07 / B / HS4 / 03085.