Systematic Literature Review on Challenges of Open Innovation

13. March 2025

Open Innovation (OI) has reshaped how organizations approach innovation by integrating external ideas, technologies, and collaborations. While much of the research highlights the benefits of OI, many firms struggle with its practical implementation due to challenges such as governance, trust, knowledge integration, intellectual property management, and cultural differences. These challenges can limit the effectiveness of OI and hinder firms from realizing its full potential.

The main aim of this bachelor’s thesis is to fill this gap by conducting a systematic literature review of academic research on the challenges of Open Innovation. The goal is to identify recurring themes, categorize types of challenges (e.g., organizational, inter-organizational, cultural, legal, technological), and explore potential strategies for overcoming them.

Level Bachelor
Language English
Field of Study Business Administration, Information Systems, Management, or related fields
Prerequisites
  • Interest in open innovation, business networks, and user communities
  • Willingness to engage in academic research and literature analysis
  • Familiarity with literature review methods is a plus (but not required)
  • You are planning to start your thesis process during the next 1-2 months

Description

This thesis explores the challenges of Open Innovation (OI) by systematically reviewing the existing academic literature. While most studies emphasize the positive outcomes of OI, this thesis shifts the focus to the barriers and difficulties organizations face when implementing OI initiatives—shedding light on the complexities and risks involved in managing them.

The research will aim to answer questions such as:

  • What are the most common challenges organizations face when implementing OI?

  • Which internal and external factors influence the success or failure of OI initiatives?

  • How do organizations address and overcome these challenges?

The outcome will be a structured synthesis of current academic knowledge on OI challenges, providing both scholars and practitioners with insights into how OI processes can be designed and managed more effectively.

Why Choose This Topic?

  • Relevance – Understanding OI challenges is critical in today’s fast-paced, collaborative business environment.

  • Methodological Rigor – You will gain experience in systematic literature review, a valuable academic and professional research method.

  • Unique Focus – While OI benefits are widely studied, challenges remain underexplored, offering fresh ground for valuable insights.

How to Apply

If you are interested, please send the following via mail:

  • CV
  • Transcript of records
  • Short motivation

We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact Person

Joni Riihimäki (email: joni.riihimaeki@fau.de)