Abstract
Do SMEs cluster around different types of innovation activities? Are there patterns of SME innovation activities? To investigate we develop a taxonomy of innovation activities in SMEs using a qualitative study, followed by a survey. First, based upon our qualitative research and literature review we develop a comprehensive list of innovation activities SMEs typically engage in. We then conduct a factor analysis to determine if these activities can be combined into factors. We identify three innovation activity factors: R&D activities, incremental innovation activities and cost innovation activities. We use these factors to identify three clusters of firms engaging in similar innovation activities: active innovators, incremental innovators and opportunistic innovators. The clusters are enriched by validating that they also exhibit significant internal similarities and external differences in their innovation skills, demographics, industry segments and family business ownership. This research contributes to innovation and SME theory and practice by identifying SME clusters based upon their innovation activities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1650062 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | International Journal of Innovation Management |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Early online date | 7 Apr 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- cluster analysis
- factor analysis
- Innovation
- innovation activities
- SME
- taxonomy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business and International Management
- Strategy and Management
- Management of Technology and Innovation
Cite this
Do SMEs Cluster Around Innovation Activities? Discovering Active, Incremental And Opportunistic Innovators. / Casali, Gian Luca; Zolin, Roxanne; Sawang, Sukanlaya.
In: International Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 20, No. 7, 1650062, 10.2016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Do SMEs Cluster Around Innovation Activities?
T2 - Discovering Active, Incremental And Opportunistic Innovators
AU - Casali, Gian Luca
AU - Zolin, Roxanne
AU - Sawang, Sukanlaya
PY - 2016/10
Y1 - 2016/10
N2 - Do SMEs cluster around different types of innovation activities? Are there patterns of SME innovation activities? To investigate we develop a taxonomy of innovation activities in SMEs using a qualitative study, followed by a survey. First, based upon our qualitative research and literature review we develop a comprehensive list of innovation activities SMEs typically engage in. We then conduct a factor analysis to determine if these activities can be combined into factors. We identify three innovation activity factors: R&D activities, incremental innovation activities and cost innovation activities. We use these factors to identify three clusters of firms engaging in similar innovation activities: active innovators, incremental innovators and opportunistic innovators. The clusters are enriched by validating that they also exhibit significant internal similarities and external differences in their innovation skills, demographics, industry segments and family business ownership. This research contributes to innovation and SME theory and practice by identifying SME clusters based upon their innovation activities.
AB - Do SMEs cluster around different types of innovation activities? Are there patterns of SME innovation activities? To investigate we develop a taxonomy of innovation activities in SMEs using a qualitative study, followed by a survey. First, based upon our qualitative research and literature review we develop a comprehensive list of innovation activities SMEs typically engage in. We then conduct a factor analysis to determine if these activities can be combined into factors. We identify three innovation activity factors: R&D activities, incremental innovation activities and cost innovation activities. We use these factors to identify three clusters of firms engaging in similar innovation activities: active innovators, incremental innovators and opportunistic innovators. The clusters are enriched by validating that they also exhibit significant internal similarities and external differences in their innovation skills, demographics, industry segments and family business ownership. This research contributes to innovation and SME theory and practice by identifying SME clusters based upon their innovation activities.
KW - cluster analysis
KW - factor analysis
KW - Innovation
KW - innovation activities
KW - SME
KW - taxonomy
U2 - 10.1142/S1363919616500626
DO - 10.1142/S1363919616500626
M3 - Article
VL - 20
JO - International Journal of Innovation Management
JF - International Journal of Innovation Management
SN - 1363-9196
IS - 7
M1 - 1650062
ER -