Table 1 Interaction methods during open innovation between a manufacturing enterprise and external resources

Manufacturing enterprise

Industrial entity

To provide services for the core manufacturing enterprise related to the industrialization stage of the open innovation process, such as engineering & design ideas, material supply, testing, etc.

Supplier

Strategic collaboration and Early Supplier Involvement (ESI) in the R&D stage

Partner enterprise

Set up joint-venture or project and develop innovative technology/product

Small firm (capitalized by the manufacturing enterprise)

Allocated research and development

Testing labs

Allocated testing and certification work for testing labs, or set up joint labs

Industrialization agent

Venture Capital (VC) or Direct Capital (DC) to promote the industrialization of the innovation

OEM/ODM

Allocated R&D or system assembly project

Non-industrial entity

To provide services for the core manufacturing enterprise during the open innovation process in terms of basic knowledge innovation, application innovation, management innovation, talent cultivation, funding support, etc.

Individuals

Individuals have feedback or innovative inputs for the manufacturing enterprise

University

University-firm collaboration in terms of science & research projects, talent cultivation, etc.

Research institutes

Technology licensing or transfer, R&D assignments/allocations

Innovation intermediaries

Commercial transactions in terms of the distribution of requests and collection of service for the enterprise

Consulting firm

Consultation services mainly including technology and management innovation

Law firms/IP management agency

Provide lawsuit dispute/intellectual property rights services as requested by the core manufacturing enterprise

Association

Standards/regulations development

Government

Approve state key lab, funding or tax reductions/exemptions