Współpraca przedsiębiorstw przemysłu spożywczego z partnerami zewnętrznymi w procesach otwartych innowacji

Abstract

The study presents in a synthetic way the understanding of the concept of the open innovation and the validity of its application by food industry producers and it also emphasizes the role of individual categories of cooperators in co-creating innovative solutions. The aim of the article was twofold: to identify the external partners with whom food industry enterprises establish cooperation within the framework of the implemented innovative activity, and to identify the opportunities and threats resulting from this sort of cooperation. The surveyed companies most often involved their customers and suppliers in the innovation processes, implementing open innovation models based on traditional relationships within the value chain. Gaining access to broad knowledge resources was recognized as the most important benefit of such cooperation, whereas the chief obstacle for undertaking such activities were high costs connected with searching for solutions outside the enterprise.