Knowledge alliances in the innovation process

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present a specific form of acquiring external knowledge by enterprises in the innovation process, based on creation of so called ‘knowledge alliances’. The author outlines theoretical aspects of knowledge alliances as well as study results illustrating the use of this form of knowledge acquisition and the effects of its application in enterprises from Tarnów and Małopolska regions. It should be stressed out that few enterprises are able to create innovations without support of external entities (scientific services sector, technical services sector, industry support institutions). Moreover, it is the use of such external links that optimizes costs of the innovation process. Externally acquired knowledge is often the core (or its complement) of the company’s internal innovation process. ‘Opening’ of the innovation process makes it possible for enterprises to take action enabling them to benefit from the use of external knowledge and technology resources, without the need to own them. As far as open innovation concept is concerned, strategic alliance, sometimes called knowledge alliance, seems to be particularly useful in the process of knowledge acquisition. It is based on use of each other’s resources in collective learning and transfer of information and knowledge as part of innovation processes. According to the presented research results, Małopolska-based enterprises use the idea of knowledge alliances to a limited extent. The reasons for this situation may include: low level of the knowledge management process as well as internal barriers in the knowledge sharing process.