How R&D originality affects open innovation under knowledge spillovers?

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how R&D originality functions in an open innovation process after the introduction of knowledge spillovers (KSs). Design/methodology/approach To examine the research framework, the authors use hierarchical regression based on questionnaire data from 211 emerging enterprises in China. Findings Consistent with the proposed framework, the authors find that the KS effect mediates the positive relationship between openness and innovation performance. In addition, R&D originality weakens the impact of the KS effect on innovation performance. Research limitations/implications One limitation is that the questionnaire survey the authors choose for data collection has some natural defects; furthermore, the testing method and research framework need to be improved. Practical implications Several implications of the findings for managerial practices are discussed. Originality/value First, the research expands the existing theoretical construct by introducing the KS effect into the open innovation process; second, the authors reveal the negative impact of R&D originality on the open innovation process.