"Trust embedded open innovation: Literature review, synthesis and research propositions"

The concept of open innovation has been thoroughly investigated. The shift from a closed to an open paradigm is recognized as the main element that fosters organizational performance. However, despite the abundant literature in the field, there is still an on-going debate about the organizational aspects of open innovation. The aim of this paper is to develop a conceptual model emanating the role of intraorganizational trust in relation to open innovation. Based on an extensive and multidisciplinary critical literature review, the organizational antecedents of open innovation are identified: knowledge sharing attitude, ambidextrous thinking, collaborative culture and diversity management. Each of these antecedents is perceived and operationalized by a number of sub-antecedents. This paper highlights the role of trust as the inherent part of open innovation. In addition, this paper strongly suggests that: a) open innovation is an organizational mindset perceived via the direct relationship between the four organizational antecedents and the open innovation adoption and b) intraorganizational trust moderates the individual relationships between the four organizational antecedents and the adoption of open innovation. By revisiting the theory of open innovation, the paper develops research propositions depicting the interplay between the organizational antecedents, the element of intraorganizational trust and the adoption of open innovation. The paper shares academic and managerial implications by bringing an alternative perspective in the field of open innovation.