Understanding the Openness of Research, Development, and Innovation Projects: Evidence From Mature Industry Firms in Norway

The debate surrounding firms’ choice between open and closed innovation models persists, necessitating empirical insights into openness as a continuum. This article examines determinants of openness at the project level, focusing on research, development, and innovation (RDI) projects within mature industries in Norway. Based on in-depth interviews with 32 employees involved in 24 RDI projects across 12 top-performing firms, we identify two key criteria influencing project openness: knowledge type and degree of relatedness to the firm's core product. These criteria dictate the choice of innovation model employed in RDI projects. Our findings contribute to understanding openness in innovation processes and offer a framework that serves as a practical guide for industrial managers.