The Challenges of Implementing Open Innovation. A Systematic Literature Review.

Going beyond the popular effectiveness argument of the OI paradigm, this study disentangle a neglected aspect of OI: the challenges embedded in its implementation. Through a systematic literature review, we analyze the private and public R&D, systematizing the challenges in internal and external, whether they arise within or outside organizational boundaries. Within their boundaries, organizations struggle in implementing organizational and cultural changes, and innovating their business models. Outside their boundaries, organizations are concerned with protecting internal assets, avoiding over-search, managing partnerships and innovating business models’ external dimensions. We provide a twofold contribution: (i) identify and systematize the challenges of implementing OI emerging from the literature; (ii) propose a research agenda to address current gaps in the debate. Our implications nurture the debate on OI across diversified context involving both the private and public sectors.