The Role of Industry and Economic Context in Open Innovation: Evidence from Nigeria

Book Chapter
Published on 1 January 2019

Working book chapter available through PEDL. Published book chapter available here.

Abstract

Using innovation survey data on a sample of UK manufacturing firms, Laursen and Salter (2006) documented a non-monotonous relationship between external search strategies and firm-level innovative performance. Egbetokun, Oluwatope, Adedeye, and Sanni (2019) find partially similar results in a combined sample of Nigerian manufacturing and service firms. A major discrepancy is that external search appears not to matter for radical innovation in our sample. Based on multiple research streams including economics of innovation and development economics, the authors develop and test new hypotheses on sectoral differences and the role of the economic context. They find that in a developing context, a wider range of innovation obstacles implies broader external search and more intense obstacles require deeper search. They explore the implications of these results for management research and theory.

Authors

Abiodun Egbetokun

De Montfort University

Omolayo Oluwatope

Obafemi Awolowo University

David Adeyeye

Obafemi Awolowo University

Maruf Sanni

Obafemi Awolowo University