SMEs’ Open Innovation: <scp>Applying a Barrier Approach</scp>

This article identifies barriers that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter when they openly innovate, according to the open innovation (OI) mode used (inbound, outbound, coupled). A qualitative analysis—involving seven case studies of SMEs active in digital (high-tech) or social economy (low-tech) sectors—reveals face more internal than external OI barriers. Overall, nature does not vary across modes, but their intensity does. With regard barriers, results reveal a “tribe syndrome,” such resist opening up other firms do share same values.