Search for external knowledge is vital for firms innovative activities. To understand search, we propose two knowledge search dimensions: search space (local or distant) and search heuristics (experiential or cognitive). Combining these two dimensions, we distinguish four search paths - situated paths, analogical paths, sophisticated paths, and scientific paths - which respond to recent calls to move beyond "where to search" and to investigate the connection with "how to search." Also, we highlight how the mechanisms of problem framing and boundary spanning operate within each search path to identify solutions to technology problems. We report on a study of 18 open innovation projects that used an innovation intermediary, and outline the characteristics of each search path. Exploration of these search paths enriches previous studies of search in open innovation by providing a comprehensive, but structured, framework that explains search, its underlying mechanisms, and potential outcomes. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Emerging economies has received much interest lately, and perhaps most the so-called BRICS (Brazil, Russia; India, China, South Africa) markets due to their sheer size and economic growth. However, the importance of these markets have been further highlighted in technology-related phenomena such as frugal innovations at the bottom of the pyramid and reverse innovation patterns where products and services invented in emerging markets are diffusing around the globe.

This paper focuses on the organization of new product development in large, R&D-intensive firms. In these firms,research and development activities are often separated. Research is conducted in dedicated research projects at specialized research labs. Once research results are achieved by research projects, they are transferred to business units for further development and commercialization. We investigate the speed whereby research projects transfer theirfirst research results to business units (hereafter: transfer speed). In particular, we analyze the antecedents and performance implications of transfer speed. Based on data of 503 research projects from a European R&D intensive manufacturing firm, our results suggest that a fast transfer speed (as measured by the time it takes for a research project to develop and transfer its first research result to business units) is associated with a better research performance (as measured by the total number of transfers the research project generates). Moreover, we find that different types of external R&D partners—science-based and market-based partners—play distinct roles in speeding up project first research transfers. While market-based partnerships (i.e., customers and suppliers) generally contribute to a faster transfer of first research results, science-based partnerships (i.e., universities and research institutions) only speed up first research transfers of technologically very complex projects. Our results also show that early patent filings by research projects accelerate first research transfers.

This paper combines a literature review and a case study of supplierselection for new product development (NPD) collaboration to illustrate theimpact of technological uncertainty and how firms cope with it. In the review,21 relevant papers were found after an extensive search. The case study isbased on an NPD project to select suppliers for a cable for high voltagetransmissions, transporting energy from wind farms at sea to stations located onland. The literature review reveals that supplier selection for NPD undertechnological uncertainty is indeed problematic. It is not clear from theliterature review how firms should select suppliers. Some studies point towardsthe importance of prior collaborations while others suggest that firms shouldsearch for new suppliers and broaden their network. There are a number ofaspects that our literature review does not tell us, and consequently we providesuggestions for future research.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a first exploratory overview of the Mediterraneansystemof innovation and present the results of interactiveworkwith 25 innovation delegates fromnorthernand southernMediterranean countries.The studycomes at awatershed for theUnion for theMediterranean,which is drawing up innovation policies for the future and debating ways of boosting core activities.

Design/methodology/approach – This research benefits from the established literature oninnovation systems (IS) to study how Mediterranean countries are enhancing their innovationcapabilities. In collaboration with the European Institute of the Mediterranean, this research inviteddelegates from northern and southern Mediterranean countries, programme directors andrepresentatives from the European Commission to discuss national and regional innovation activitiesin their own countries.

Findings – The data shed light on how activities conducted by public and private organisationsinfluence the IS functions, revealing shifting services and business models. Finally, the data highlightedthe need to draw up an innovation strategy to boost R&D capabilities.

Originality/value – The value of this research lies in the application of the well-established IS approach to the Mediterranean case and a description of existing enabling and blocking mechanisms.