Open innovation profile in small and medium-sized firms. The perspective of technology centres and business associations

This work seeks to understand and characterise the innovative profile of Portuguese SMEs within the context of open innovation. The analysis draws on interviews conducted with the business associations and technological centres in the moulds, footwear and automotive industries in Portugal. The study conducted here follows an exploratory approach. This study suggests that while open innovation is relatively widespread in its adoption of external knowledge, technology transfer outside the business is less commonplace. The innovation partners are varied, chosen based on competence and experience as well as their networking ability.