This research centers on understanding the intellectual evolution and conceptual foundations of the open innovation field. To achieve this aim, topic modeling was employed as a data-driven method for uncovering hidden structures within large textual datasets. By analyzing 3,000 articles published between 2003 and 2023, the study identified 22 key themes that have significantly shaped current debates on open innovation. The results demonstrate a gradual shift in scholarly attention from early firm-oriented models toward emerging domains such as organizational culture, data analytics, and agile processes.
These findings provide valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, not only by consolidating existing knowledge but also by highlighting research gaps and outlining promising avenues for future inquiry. The study further emphasizes the need to update educational resources, particularly in interdisciplinary areas such as science and technology policy. The identified themes can serve as a roadmap for foresight and educational planning in the field, offering guidance for advancing both academic research and practical application.