Trust in Open Innovation: An Integrated Model Based on a Systematic Literature Review

Trust among partners is increasingly recognized as a key condition for the success of Open Innovation (OI); nevertheless, the research on the topic is still fragmented and partial. On the basis of a systematic literature review, this paper explores trust in OI settings, building an integrated model that connects trust antecedents and consequences in OI contexts and explains the key relationships among identified themes and dimensions. As a complementary goal, this paper aims at generating a new framing for the trust in OI debate, providing several propositions and pointing out future research avenues to push forward the understanding of the topic. To conclude, practical guidelines for interested OI professionals are described to foster trust and enhance its impact in OI contexts.