Fast-connecting search practices: On the role of open innovation intermediary to accelerate the absorptive capacity

Firms that engage in distant search activities seek to leverage on external knowledge to innovate. The firms' ability to acquire new knowledge depends on strong search practices and the corresponding absorptive capacity where the latter predefine firms' ability to span out of its core competences area, to follow the open innovation processes. Absorptive capacity is often seen as a precondition for the open innovation success. This research focuses on the cases of open innovation when the absorptive capacity is absent internally and is taken in charge by an open innovation intermediary that is capable to develop the potential absorptive capacity for the firm. Based on an exploratory case study of an intermediary platform that proposes novelty driven search practices – ideXlab, our results demonstrate how intermediary can accelerate the absorptive capacity value recognition function and therefore, potentially facilitate further diffusion of knowledge. Implications for open innovation in the distant search contexts are discussed.