Quantifying the impact of inbound open innovation

Abstract

Within the dynamic context of innovation ecosystems and their actors, this study quantifies the impact of engagement in inbound open innovation on startups. Using data from a 2021 German innovation survey, which included responses from 1512 startups, we examined how cooperation with actors from the innovation ecosystem influences startup innovation in terms of business models, processes, products/services, and technologies. We assessed these impacts using the Propensity Score Matching method with the Kernel Tricube estimator. Our results show that higher levels of inbound open innovation positively affect startups' business models, processes, and technological innovation, but the impact on their product and service innovation was not statistically significant in this particular context. These findings underscore the critical roles of other startups, companies, and research institutions in fostering startup innovation, as they can provide the resources and support that are so crucial to help them navigate the complexities of innovation development and commercialization. They also encourage startups to engage in collaborative activities and help them to make informed decisions about inbound open innovation. Our study offers valuable insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers.