Abstract The complexity and uncertainty of technological innovation in the open environment often make firms fall into the dilemma of obtaining external knowledge resources or protecting core knowledge from the rivals. Besides, there is also a classical innovation paradox of protecting core knowledge and diffusing dominant standard, which is especially typical in the knowledge-intensive firms. Though much of researches have been done on firms' technological innovation, few are focused on what kind of organizational pattern for technological innovation is the most efficient. Based on the experience from the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, we find the spiral evolution of the organizational patterns for technological innovation from the integrated closed innovation model to the modular open innovation model. The pattern of modular open innovation can effectively use a variety of external knowledge resources, increase the efficiency of technological innovation, and reduce the D costs, which enable firms to avoid potential innovation risks when cooperating with external knowledge institutions, and finally solve the innovation paradox effectively.
|