Firoozeh Nafisi - Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Reza Mohammad Kazemi - Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

This study aims to provide an open innovation model for hi-tech startups in the unit of industries related to information technology (IT). The research method of the present study is mixed and it is done with two types of qualitative and quantitative (mixed) approaches. In the qualitative part of the research, in order to collect data, interview questions were developed. In the following, the ISM questionnaire and the researcher-made questionnaire with a ۵-point Likert scale were used. The statistical population in the qualitative and ISM sections consisted of ۱۰ qualified experts who were selected using the purposeful and non-probability sampling method and in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them. The first step of the current study is to identify the main and sub-categories of the research by using the method of qualitative analysis of the theme (the approach of editing interviews, summarizing them and interpreting concepts and words). MAXQDA software was used for qualitative analysis. Then, in the second and quantitative part of the research, the structural-interpretive modeling method and MICMAC software were used to identify the causal relationships between the main categories of the research. In total, the pattern obtained consists of ۱۰ main themes. The results showed that the strategic management of open innovation, investment and financing, and information technology infrastructure affect technology development in services and products and innovative leadership. Innovative leadership and technology development have an effect on knowledge management and human resource empowerment and lead to the participation of startups in open innovation and improving competence of startups. Through improving the competence and participation of hi-tech startups, it is finally possible to achieve open innovation.

Open innovation model, high-tech startups, IT-related industries, hybrid approach