The concept of open innovation (OI) has become a very popular topic during the last decade, with an increasing number of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) embracing OI practices to gain competitive advantage. With the majority of publications focusing on large firms, open innovation in SMEs has received scant attention from both scholars and practitioners. This book seeks to correct this imbalance by providing an in-depth study for both business managers and graduate-level students. Using rich, in-depth case studies from successful companies, it examines different approaches to managing OI in order to develop practical guidelines for implementation. It also highlights important differences between OI strategies in SMEs and large companies. Its findings will be of use to those studying or working in innovation management, open innovation, small business management and entrepreneurship.

Small businesses have increasingly been recognized as a source of innovation, and one way in which the Federal government encourages such innovation is through the Small Business Innovation Research program. SBIR sets aside 2.5 percent of federal agencies' R&D budgets for R&D grants to small business. Although the program's budget was nearly $1.2 billion in 1998, SBIR has been subject to relatively little outside review. As part of the STEP's ongoing project on Government-Industry Partnerships, the Board convened policymakers, academic researchers, and representatives from small business to discuss the program's history and rationale, review existing research, and identify areas for further research and program improvements.

Smaller, technically-oriented companies often assume types of risk (and an amount of risk) that is not often tolerated by large companies. In the United States both consumers and companies depend on smaller, high-tech companies to explore the commercial application of technology in potential, emerging, and small markets. This book, through comparison of six industries in which small companies play a critical role, explores the principal economic function of small, high-tech companiesâ€"to probe, explore, and sometimes develop the frontiers of the U.S. economy in search of unrecognized or otherwise ignored opportunities for economic growth and development.

Smaller, technically-oriented companies often assume types of risk (and an amount of risk) that is not often tolerated by large companies. In the United States both consumers and companies depend on smaller, high-tech companies to explore the commercial application of technology in potential, emerging, and small markets. This book, through comparison of six industries in which small companies play a critical role, explores the principal economic function of small, high-tech companies--to probe, explore, and sometimes develop the frontiers of the U.S. economy in search of unrecognized or otherwise ignored opportunities for economic growth and development.

Brazil has emerged as a significant financial and industrial power in recent times. Brazil is poised to become a significant player in the field of biotechnology, internationally, by taking advantage of circumstances not available in other countries, particularly its native biodiversity. This will, in turn, have an effect on commercial and entrepreneurial opportunities in the region. Topics covered in this text include adjustments that must be made in the regulatory framework to assure the success of business investment. This investment is crucial for training R&D scientists and developing new technologies. The book also covers a debate on transgenic plants which had political ramifications in the region and slowed the adoption rate of genetically modified organisms by almost a decade. The opportunities for commercialization of recombinant DNA technologies in the country are also presented. Opportunities and Limitations For Biotechnology Innovation In Brazil presents a concise overview of the biotechnology industry in Brazil and will be of great interest to a wide range of readers including researchers, biotechnology graduates, as well as both local and international investors.

This book enables organizations in both the private and public sectors to develop and execute efficient and effective business partnerships. Detailed requirements and market potentials are developed which would help entice the private sector to use its own resources to develop products and services without delay and at minimal cost to taxpayers. This is a 'must read' for anyone interested in doing business with the government as well as government leaders who are being forced to trim budgets and show genuine value in their agencies.