THE OUTSOURCING OF INNOVATION ACTIVITIES IN SUPPLY CHAINS WITH HIGH-INTENSITY OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The purpose of the paper has been to analyze how the outsourcing relationships are considered to be a source of innovation in industries which are characterized by an high-intensity of research and development activities and the innovation product process involves extended networked supply chains. The general aim of the paper is to explain, even through some conceptual models, “why” and “how” the interconnected system of outsourcing relationships take place in industries where the innovation product processes involve networked supply chains, characterized by an high intensity of innovation and knowledge. The main managerial implications which rise from the study are the following: the choices to outsource product innovation activities may have theoretical roots both in the transaction cost economics theory (cost-based) and in the stream of evolutionary theories resources-based, that is: Resource-based Theory (RbT), Competence-based Competitive Theory (CbCT), Knowledge-based Theory (KbT), Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT); the outsourcing has a strategic role to improve own innovation capabilities and knowledge base, integrate it with complementary capabilities of the external partners, absorb new competencies from the market, create new capabilities and knowledge when technological and markets needs changes occur on the market. This has a particular importance in the industries where the product innovation (R&D) activities are technologically complex, deployed into a global supply chain of suppliers, and require a continuous innovation. This paper recognizes the first findings of a ongoing research project focused on the outsourcing relationships into the aeronautical industry.
KEY WORDS strategic outsourcing | outsourcing of innovation (R&D) activities | partnership outsourcing | collaboration for innovation activities | buyer-seller relationships | supply chain management.