Globalization of R&D as a driver for Open Innovation

Abstract

In this master thesis we link the open innovation (OI) literature to the globalization of R&D strategies of MNEs. By linking these theories, we aim to open up the research agenda for OI when it is applied in an international context. Most MNEs are not organized to make use of the abundance of knowledge that is available across the world. The metanational is a structure that helps MNEs to make use of external sources. By combining the OI literature and the metanational theory we can make OI more relevant for MNEs. We presented a new model for OI, together with new questions that OI has to deal with when it is applied to large multinationals. In the scope of our thesis we proposed four new challenges for OI. We gave some recommendations that could facilitate the implementation of OI for a MNE. But we would like to emphasize that further research on each of these topics is vital to the applicability of OI in an international context.