The underlying mechanisms of open innovation intermediaries

The continuous popularity of open innovation as a methodology for sourcing innovation in companies has offered a novel perspective on the increasing need that companies face for accessing and competing on innovation. However, new challenges have arisen: (i) identifying optimal solutions; and (ii) engaging the best partner, in a universe that is no longer confined to the boundaries of the firm. Open innovation intermediaries, aiming at addressing these challenges, have grown in numbers and achieved a global presence in recent years, leading to an increasing interest in research that explored its role and operation. There is, however, a lack of research that specifically explores their matching mechanisms. This paper aims at addressing this aspect, characterising mechanism archetypes, exploring their limitations, underlying tensions and conflicts.