Methods for Measuring Open Innovation’s Impact on Innovation Ecosystems in the Context of the European Innovation Scoreboard
Abstract
1. Background and Topicality
1.1. Background
1.2. Topicality
2. Literature Overview
2.1. Literature Overview of Open Innovation
2.2. Literature Overview of Innovation Ecosystems
2.3. Literature Overview of Main Open Innovation Practices
2.4. Literature Overview of Methods for Measuring Success
2.5. Common Theoretical Insights
2.6. Opposite Views
2.7. Review of European Innovation Scoreboard and Other Innovation Indexes
3. Research Design and Research Methods
3.1. Research Design
3.2. Literature Overview and Review
3.2.1. Synthesis and Analysis
3.2.2. Conceptual Framework
3.2.3. Validation
3.2.4. Reporting
3.3. Research Methods
- Data collection: Data on innovation metrics were collected from the latest EIS main report and methodology report created by Hugo Hollanders (European Commission, 2023).
- Metric Identification: Key innovation metrics were identified and categorized based on their relevance to OI and ecosystem performance. Metrics such as R&D expenditure, patent activity, higher education, and research personnel were prioritized. This process was guided by established frameworks and methodologies, including the composite indicator approach recommended by Nardo et al. (2005) and insights from West and Bogers (2014). This selection was guided by three specific criteria:
- Alignment with OI practices: Indicators were chosen for their direct connection to key OI practices, ensuring that each metric reflected activities central to OI.
- Prevalence in existing innovation indexes: Indicators frequently used in established frameworks like the EIS, GII, and BII were prioritized to ensure methodological soundness.
- Impact on innovation ecosystem performance: Indicators were evaluated based on their potential impact on ecosystem performance, as validated by empirical studies. Metrics such as R&D expenditure, patent activity, higher education, and research personnel were prioritized. This process was further supported by established frameworks and methodologies, including the composite indicator approach recommended by Nardo et al. (2005) and insights from West and Bogers (2014).
- Comparative analysis: A comparative analysis was conducted to examine how the EIS measures innovation performance. This analysis helped to validate the robustness of the selected metrics and ensure their relevance to the research objectives. By comparing the EIS metrics with those from other well-established innovation indexes, such as the GII and the BII, the study assessed the comprehensiveness and applicability of the EIS framework for evaluating the impact of OI (OECD & Eurostat, 2018).
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Methods for Measuring Innovation
4.2. Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis
4.3. Surveys and Financial Reports
4.4. Patent Databases and Bibliometric Analysis
4.5. Educational Statistics and Surveys
4.6. Innovation Surveys and Enterprise Statistics
4.7. Advanced Statistical Techniques
4.8. Comparative Analysis
4.9. Methods for Measuring Open Innovation Impact
4.9.1. R&D Expenditure
- Surveys and Financial Reports: Data on R&D expenditure is collected from national statistics offices, financial statements of organizations, and government reports. Surveys help in obtaining detailed and specific data on R&D activities and expenditure.
- Indicators of OI Presence: Collaborative R&D projects, joint ventures, and external partnerships in survey responses and financial disclosures are indicative of OI practices.
- Assessment Methods: Quantitative analysis, such as regression analysis, is used to correlate R&D expenditure with measures of collaborative activities and external knowledge sourcing (Nardo et al., 2005; Chesbrough, 2003).
4.9.2. Patent Activity
- Patent Databases: Patent activity is analyzed using databases, like WIPO, which provide detailed records of patent filings and applications.
- Indicators of OI Presence: Patents resulting from collaborative research, cross-institutional filings, and co-invented patents signify OI activities.
- Assessment Methods: Bibliometric analysis is employed to trace citations and assess the spread of knowledge from patents, indicating OI activities (Jaffe et al., 1993; West & Bogers, 2014).
4.9.3. Higher Education
- Education Statistics and Surveys: Data on doctorate graduates and tertiary education enrollment is gathered from universities and international organizations.
- Indicators of OI Presence: The involvement of higher education institutions in collaborative research projects and partnerships with industry highlights OI practices.
- Assessment Methods: Qualitative case studies on university–industry collaborations are used to assess their impact on innovation outputs (Chesbrough, 2003; Perkmann & Walsh, 2007).
4.9.4. Research Personnel
- Labor Market Surveys and Employment Statistics: Data on employment in knowledge-intensive activities is collected through labor market surveys and employment statistics.
- Indicators of OI Presence: The mobility of research personnel across institutions and their participation in collaborative projects are tracked.
- Assessment Methods: Network analysis is used to map collaborations and assess the role of research personnel in facilitating OI (OECD & Eurostat, 2018).
4.9.5. Publications
- Bibliometric Analysis: Scientific publications and citations are analyzed using bibliometric databases like Web of Science and Scopus.
- Indicators of OI Presence: Co-authored papers, cross-disciplinary research, and publications resulting from joint research initiatives indicate OI.
- Assessment Methods: Citation analysis measures the impact of collaborative publications on the broader research community (Merton, 1973).
4.9.6. Human Resources
- Labor Force Surveys and Employment Data: Data on workforce involvement in innovative activities is collected through labor force surveys and employment data.
- Indicators of OI Presence: Workforce participation in OI initiatives, such as crowdsourcing and innovation contests, is monitored.
- Assessment Methods: Surveys measure employee engagement in OI practices and their impact on organizational innovation performance (Barney, 1991).
4.9.7. Venture Capital
- Investment Databases and Financial Reports: Data on venture capital expenditure is analyzed using investment databases and financial reports.
- Indicators of OI Presence: Venture capital investments in startups engaging in collaborative innovation and external knowledge sourcing are identified.
- Assessment Methods: Financial performance metrics evaluate the success of venture-capital-backed OI projects (Gompers & Lerner, 2001).
4.9.8. Broadband Penetration
- Telecommunications Data and Surveys: Data on broadband penetration and ICT access is collected using telecommunications data and surveys.
- Indicators of OI Presence: The role of digital infrastructure in facilitating OI networks and remote collaboration is assessed.
- Assessment Methods: Network analysis evaluates the impact of broadband penetration on the efficiency and reach of OI activities (Rogers, 2003).
4.9.9. Innovative SME Collaboration
- Innovation Surveys and Enterprise Statistics: Data on SME collaboration and innovation activities is gathered through innovation surveys and enterprise statistics.
- Indicators of OI Presence: The extent of SME participation in innovation networks, joint ventures, and industry consortia is tracked.
- Assessment Methods: Qualitative case studies explore the outcomes of SME collaboration in OI environments (Powell et al., 1996; Yin, 2018).
4.9.10. Sales of Innovative Products
- Business Surveys and Market Research: Data on the sales of innovative products is collected through business surveys and market research.
- Indicators of OI Presence: The market performance of products developed through collaborative R&D and customer co-creation is analyzed.
- Assessment Methods: Financial analysis correlates sales performance with OI activities and strategies (Schumpeter, 1934).
5. Conclusions
6. Potential Practical Implications
- Enhancing strategic decision-making in companies: The findings of this study emphasize the importance of using a comprehensive set of metrics to evaluate the impact of OI on innovation ecosystems. Firms can utilize these metrics to assess their innovation strategies more effectively, particularly by identifying which aspects of OI contribute most significantly to their success.
- Guiding policymaking and funding decisions: The research highlights how OI practices can drive the performance of innovation ecosystems. Policymakers can use these insights to shape policies that encourage collaboration among various stakeholders, including academia, industry, and government entities.
- Informing the development of innovation frameworks: The integration of OI metrics into existing innovation frameworks can provide a more nuanced understanding of how innovation ecosystems operate and evolve. This research suggests that innovation frameworks should be adaptable, incorporating both traditional and contemporary metrics to reflect the dynamic nature of innovation.
- Strengthening innovation ecosystem collaboration: This study’s findings indicate that successful innovation ecosystems are often characterized by high levels of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Practical steps can be taken to enhance this collaboration, such as creating platforms that facilitate knowledge sharing, joint ventures, and cross-sector partnerships.
7. Future Research Directions
- The validation of theoretical concepts: The primary focus should be on approbating the proposed theoretical framework within real-world innovation ecosystems. This involves engaging with experts through interviews and discussions to gather insights and feedback on the conceptual model. Additionally, case studies of successful innovation ecosystems can provide empirical evidence to support or refine the theoretical constructs.
- Comparative analysis across regions: Researchers can perform comparative studies across different regions and sectors to understand the variability in OI practices and their outcomes. This will help in identifying best practices and tailoring strategies to specific contexts.
- The integration of digital tools: Future work can explore the integration of digital tools and platforms in measuring and facilitating OI. Digital technologies can enhance data collection, analysis, and collaboration, providing more accurate and real-time insights.
- The impact of policy interventions: Researchers can investigate the role of policy interventions in promoting OI, analyzing how government policies and support mechanisms influence the adoption and success of OI practices.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
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Practice | Description | Details | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
External Knowledge Sourcing | Acquiring external knowledge and technologies to complement internal R&D efforts. | This includes licensing technologies, acquiring patents, and sourcing ideas from external partners such as universities, research institutions, and other companies. | (Chesbrough, 2003). |
Collaborative R&D and Co-Development | Engaging in joint research and development (R&D) activities with external partners to share risks, costs, and benefits. | This practice involves forming strategic alliances, partnerships, and consortia to collaboratively develop new products, services, and technologies and a go-to-market strategy. | (West et al., 2014; West & Bogers, 2014). |
Crowdsourcing and Idea Competitions | Leveraging the collective intelligence of a large group of people, typically outside the organization, to generate ideas and solve problems. | Crowdsourcing platforms and idea competitions are used to gather innovative ideas from a broad audience, often resulting in diverse and creative solutions. | (Yun et al., 2016). |
Innovation Networks and Ecosystems | Participating in networks and ecosystems that foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among various stakeholders. | This includes joining industry clusters, innovation hubs, and other collaborative environments that facilitate interactions between companies, academia, and government agencies. | (Gawer & Cusumano, 2002; Bogers et al., 2017) |
Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) | Investing in startups and emerging companies to gain access to new technologies and business models. | CVC allows companies to strategically invest in startups, providing them with financial support and gaining early access to innovative solutions and resources. | (Gompers & Lerner, 2001; Kortum & Lerner, 2000) |
Open-Source Innovation | Utilizing and contributing to open-source projects to accelerate innovation and reduce development costs. | This practice involves participating in and leveraging open-source communities to develop software, hardware, and other technological solutions collaboratively. | (Chesbrough, 2003; West & Gallagher, 2006) |
Licensing and Intellectual Property (IP) Management | Licensing in- and out-of-company intellectual property to leverage external innovations and monetize internal IP. | Companies can license their IP to others, generating revenue and fostering innovation through external use, or license external IP to enhance their own innovation processes. | (Chesbrough & Crowther, 2006). |
Engaging with Lead Users and Customer Co-Creation | Involving lead users and customers in the innovation process to co-create products and services. | This practice leverages insights and feedback from lead users and customers to develop more user-centric and innovative solutions. | (Von Hippel, 2005) |
Collaborative Platforms and Tools | Utilizing digital platforms and tools to facilitate collaboration and communication among innovation partners. | Digital tools and platforms, such as online collaboration tools, social media, and virtual meeting platforms, are used to enhance communication, coordination, and knowledge sharing among partners in OI networks. | (Chesbrough et al., 2006; Bogers et al., 2017) |
Criteria | European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) | Global Innovation Index (GII) | Bloomberg Innovation Index (BII) |
---|---|---|---|
Geographic Focus | European Union | Global | Global |
Indicators Evaluated | Human resources, research systems, finance and support, innovation activities | Institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication | R&D intensity, manufacturing capability, patent activity |
Composite Indicators | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Holistic Evaluation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Unique Methodological Aspects | Focuses on European countries and includes indicators related to environmental sustainability | Emphasizes institutions and market sophistication | Strong focus on R&D intensity and manufacturing capability |
Differences in Methodology | Uses unique set of weightings for European context | Broad global perspective with different weightings | Emphasizes technological capabilities and patent activities |
Metric | EIS 2023 | GII 2023 | BII 2023 |
---|---|---|---|
R&D Expenditure | Public and Business Sector R&D Spending | Research and Development | Research and Development |
Patent Activity | PCT Patent Applications | Knowledge and Technology Outputs | Patents |
Higher Education | New Doctorate Graduates (STEM) + Population Aged 25–34 with Tertiary Education | Tertiary Education | Postsecondary Education |
Research Personnel | Employment in Knowledge-Intensive Activities | Knowledge Workers | Research Personnel |
Publications | International Scientific Co-Publications + Top 10% Most Cited Publications | Creative Output | Education Level of Workforce |
Human Resources | Employment in Innovative Enterprises | Human Capital and Research | Manufacturing Value Added |
Venture Capital | Venture Capital Expenditure | Market Sophistication | Hi-Tech Companies |
Broadband Penetration | Broadband Penetration | ICT Access | - |
Innovative SME Collaboration | Innovative SMEs Collaborating with Others (Percentage of SMEs) | Innovation Linkages | - |
Sales of Innovative Products | Sales of New-to-Market and New-to-Enterprise Innovations | Knowledge and Technology Outputs | - |
Metric | Short Description from EIS 2023 | Relevance to Open Innovation Concept | Contributing Open Innovation Practices |
---|---|---|---|
R&D Expenditure | A strong predictor of innovation output and ecosystem health, consistently measured across the EIS, GII, and Bloomberg Index. | This indicates investment in research and development activities that are essential for collaborative innovation efforts and leveraging external knowledge sources (Nardo et al., 2005). | External Knowledge Sourcing, Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Corporate Venture Capital |
Patent Activity | An indicator of technological advancement and innovation capability, present in all three indexes. | Patents represent the outcomes of innovative activities, which can result from OI collaborations and knowledge sharing (West & Bogers, 2014). | External Knowledge Sourcing, Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Crowdsourcing and Idea Competitions |
Higher Education | This is critical for developing a skilled workforce and fostering innovation, measured by all three indexes. | Higher education institutions are key players in OI ecosystems, providing research capabilities and a talent pool for collaborative projects (Chesbrough, 2003). | Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Innovation Networks and Ecosystems, Engaging with Lead Users and Customer Co-Creation |
Research Personnel | This metric reflects the availability of human capital essential for innovation activities, common across all indexes. | Skilled researchers and personnel are crucial for engaging in and supporting OI initiatives (OECD & Eurostat, 2018). | Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Innovation Networks and Ecosystems, Engaging with Lead Users and Customer Co-Creation |
Publications | These are important for measuring knowledge creation and dissemination, included in the EIS and GII. | Scientific publications are a primary means of disseminating research findings and facilitating knowledge exchange in OI networks (Nardo et al., 2005). | External Knowledge Sourcing, Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Open-Source Innovation |
Human Resources | This represents the workforce’s involvement in innovative activities, linking to innovation capacity, covered in the EIS and GII. | The availability and quality of human resources directly impact the ability of organizations to engage in OI practices (Chesbrough, 2003). | External Knowledge Sourcing, Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Innovation Networks and Ecosystems |
Venture Capital | This is essential for funding innovative startups and new technologies, included in the EIS and GII. | Venture capital provides necessary financial resources that enable startups and other enterprises to pursue OI strategies (Hellmann & Puri, 2000; Nardo et al., 2005). | Corporate Venture Capital, External Knowledge Sourcing, Collaborative R&D and Co-Development |
Broadband Penetration | This reflects the infrastructure supporting digital and technological innovation, measured by the EIS and GII. | Robust digital infrastructure is essential for enabling communication and collaboration across OI networks (OECD & Eurostat, 2018). | Innovation Networks and Ecosystems, Open-Source Innovation |
Innovative SME Collaboration | This indicates collaboration and OI practices among SMEs, a critical metric in the EIS and GII. | Collaboration among SMEs is a core aspect of OI, fostering the exchange of ideas and co-development of innovations (West & Bogers, 2014; Yun et al., 2016). | Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Crowdsourcing and Idea Competitions, Engaging with Lead Users and Customer Co-Creation |
Sales of Innovative Products | This measures the economic impact of innovations, indicating market success, covered by the EIS and GII. | Sales of innovative products can be an outcome of successful OI efforts, demonstrating market acceptance and financial viability (Nardo et al., 2005). | External Knowledge Sourcing, Collaborative R&D and Co-Development, Engaging with Lead Users and Customer Co-Creation |
Metric | Method(s) Used to Measure |
---|---|
R&D Expenditure | Surveys and Financial Reports: Data collected from national statistics offices, financial statements of organizations, government expenditure reports, and surveys conducted by international organizations such as the OECD. |
Patent Activity | Patent Databases: Analysis of patent filings and applications using databases such as the WIPO and national patent offices. |
Higher Education | Education Statistics and Surveys: Data on new doctorate graduates and tertiary education enrollment from education ministries, universities, and international organizations like UNESCO. |
Research Personnel | Labor Market Surveys and Employment Statistics: Data collected from labor market surveys, employment statistics from national statistics offices, and research institution records. |
Publications | Bibliometric Analysis: Data on scientific publications and citations gathered from bibliometric databases such as Web of Science and Scopus. |
Human Resources | Labor Force Surveys and Employment Data: Collected from national statistics offices, OECD databases, and innovation surveys. |
Venture Capital | Investment Databases and Financial Reports: Data from venture capital firms, investment databases such as Crunchbase, and financial statements of companies. |
Broadband Penetration | Telecommunications Data and Surveys: Data collected from national telecommunications regulators, ITU (International Telecommunication Union) reports, and market research firms. |
Innovative SME Collaboration | Innovation Surveys and Enterprise Statistics: Data from national innovation surveys, enterprise statistics from national statistics offices, and reports from organizations such as Eurostat. |
Sales of Innovative Products | Business Surveys and Market Research: Data collected from business innovation surveys, market research reports, and financial statements of companies. |
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Banga, K.; Gaile-Sarkane, E. Methods for Measuring Open Innovation’s Impact on Innovation Ecosystems in the Context of the European Innovation Scoreboard. Businesses 2025, 5, 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/businesses5030029
Banga K, Gaile-Sarkane E. Methods for Measuring Open Innovation’s Impact on Innovation Ecosystems in the Context of the European Innovation Scoreboard. Businesses. 2025; 5(3):29. https://doi.org/10.3390/businesses5030029
Chicago/Turabian StyleBanga, Kristaps, and Elina Gaile-Sarkane. 2025. "Methods for Measuring Open Innovation’s Impact on Innovation Ecosystems in the Context of the European Innovation Scoreboard" Businesses 5, no. 3: 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/businesses5030029
APA StyleBanga, K., & Gaile-Sarkane, E. (2025). Methods for Measuring Open Innovation’s Impact on Innovation Ecosystems in the Context of the European Innovation Scoreboard. Businesses, 5(3), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/businesses5030029