The Relations between Innovation Openness (Open Innovation) and the Innovation Potential of SMEs

Innovation of Polish SMEs is relatively low. There are two main causes of this situation: the low potential of the enterprises (their limited resources) and relatively low innovation openness (open innovation, measured by the tendency for cooperation with the environment - other companies, business or research institutions). The most important (in the process of implementation of innovations) are relationships which are created between “openness” and the innovation potential. The following thesis is widely popular: higher propensity to exchange knowledge (in the range of open innovation conception) contributes to improving innovation potential. Therefore, the main purpose of this article is to determine the existing relations between openness to innovation (open innovation) and innovation potential. The specific objectives include: examining the level of openness of SMEs (measured by propensity for cooperation with the environment), taking into account a number of variables. as well as the correlation (and its strength) between these two elements. The research was conducted in 2013/2014 in the framework of research project: The concept of “open innovation” in small and medium-sized enterprises - models, trends and determinants of development (UMO-2012/07/B/HS4/03085). In order to implement the objectives and verify the research hypotheses, diagnostics was based on conducting direct interviews with selected companies by means of the CATI method using a survey form. The study encompassed the companies which over the last three years conducted innovation activities involving the implementation of innovative solutions in different areas.