Opening the black box of interaction modes on collaborative innovation in SMEs: collaborator type, knowledge type and spatial proximity

André Spithoven and Yingmin Wei

European Journal of Innovation Management, 2025, vol. 28, issue 9, 4901-4927

Abstract: PurposeSMEs maintain knowledge networks because innovation has become increasingly collaborative. This study fills a gap in the literature on inter-organisational relationships by looking at knowledge exchange practices to understand how collaborative innovation practically occurs. We distinguish between conventional interaction – such as in-person meetings – and computer-mediated interaction via text or video. Three relationship characteristics frame the interaction mode when SMEs collaborate on innovation: partner type, the type of knowledge and the spatial reach of the collaborative relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses survey data on innovative SMEs in the Brussels-Capital Region, consisting of 296 collaborative relationships reported by 59 SMEs. The unit of analysis is the relationship. Since SMEs may have multiple relationships, different interaction modes can be used simultaneously. A bivariate probit model is employed to examine the interaction modes as dependent variables.FindingsOur findings point to a hybrid attribution of particular interaction modes, influenced by the characteristics of inter-organisational relationships. The type of partner, spatial reach and the type of knowledge involved in the relationship all have more nuanced relations to a specific interaction mode. Disclosing these characteristics of interaction modes may help practitioners dodge pitfalls when setting up collaborative innovation projects.Originality/valueThis paper investigates three key characteristics affecting interaction modes in the context of SMEs, which are still understudied in the existing literature. Our empirical contribution quantifies these characteristics using a dataset on inter-organisational knowledge exchange in collaborative innovation.

Keywords: Collaboration; Innovation; Small- to medium-sized enterprises; Computer-mediated interaction mode; Conventional interaction mode (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ejimpp:ejim-05-2024-0614

DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-05-2024-0614

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