Blending absorptive capacity with open innovation: a bibliometric review

Purpose This paper aims to explore the relationship between open innovation (OI) and absorptive capacity (AC) using a bibliometric analysis of existing literature. Design/methodology/approach The bibliometric analysis is used to review the covered research articles in the Web of Science (WoS) database. The time span covered over 20 years from the year 2000 to 2020. Findings The study suggests that it is an attracting and growing field for researchers, and there exists a close relationship between OI and AC. Further, the literature has parted into three research streams (1) AC and OI: dependency and interchangeability; (2) OI and its future avenues (3) OI and AC: critical factor for firm innovation performance which elaborate various future scopes to study. Research limitations/implications The study's limitations exist with the biasness in database selection criteria, such as the possible non-inclusion of crucial articles. Practical implications The study's implications are to discern close association and path dependency of AC and OI; and facilitate the innovation performance of the firm via developing of AC. Originality/value The approach used is a novelty, and the conclusions can better understand the relationship between both terms (OI and AC). Thus, it can help increase firm innovation performance.