The key role of knowledge intermediaries

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a business model that firms can adopt in order to manage the complexity of openness orientation in innovation development, outlining how open the innovation could be. The paper shows how knowledge intermediaries (KI) facilitate the intermediation between heterogeneous organizations that are characterized by relational proximity that is the base for reaching effective innovation. The research depicts how Knowledge Intermediaries reinforce the relationship’s DNA in an Epistemic Network founded on loyalty, engagement and commitment to improve the strength of a relationship made up by a shared vision and shared destiny.