High-Performance Level and Innovation Capabilities in the Aerospace Industry of Mexico: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Abstract

This paper analyzes the necessary and sufficient conditions for successful innovation in design and engineering companies (DECs) of the aerospace industry in Mexico. It is argued that successful innovation activity is a condition for achieving a high-performance level (HPL) among DECs. Seven innovation capabilities are analyzed to determine whether an HPL exists. Based on the dynamic capabilities approach, this research suggests that learning capability (LRC), research and development capability (RDC), creative capability (CRC), collaborative innovation capability (CIC), knowledge sharing capability (KSC), and exploitation capability (EXTC) are necessary conditions to achieve an HPL in DECs of the aerospace industry in Mexico. The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methods are applied in this research to get insight into the configuration complexity that determines configurational causal relationships between HPL and innovation capabilities among firms of this industry in Mexico.