OPEN INNOVATION IN SMES. AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS IN THE WINE SECTOR

The study aims to deepen knowledge on the Open Innovation (OI) approach, examining the specific context of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Wine sector. The focus is on how Wine SMEs organize themselves to sustain OI and to answer the matters that influence in opening/closing the approach to innovation. The work performs an explorative qualitative analysis using the case-study methodology and analyzes an Italian firm named Arianna Occhipinti. Although this firm presents an increasing interest in actions related to OI, the findings show that so far it has not put in place a real declared strategy. The study highlights several barriers that hinder the adoption of OI model: cultural and organizational differences among involved partners; lack of knowledge, resources and competencies. These barriers drive Wine SMEs to abandon or delay OI strategies. The findings suggest that open innovation is a field of increasing interest for both academics and practitioners and we cannot yet speak of a veritable declared strategy. It appears more like a set of fragmented initiatives and, moreover, at a beginning stage with several barriers that hinder a significant improvement.