Impact of cooperation flexibility on innovation flexibility in SMEs

Abstract

Research background: Flexibility has become a possible means for manufacturing companies to better compete in competitive markets. Furthermore, innovations are perceived as an important factor in company strategy, which can differentiate the company from the competition. Purpose of the article: This present study investigates the problems of cooperation flexibility and innovation flexibility in manufacturing companies among electrical engineering companies in the Czech Republic. The aim of this paper is to identify the impact of cooperation flexibility on innovation flexibility in small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. Methods: A questionnaire addressed to SMEs in the form of the Likert scale was prepared to gather information about cooperation flexibility and innovation flexibility. All parts of the questionnaire were tested using Cronbach Alpha. Spearman correlation and regression analysis were used for analysis. Findings & value added: The results of the research show that external cooperation flexibility and internal cooperation flexibility is related to innovation flexibility in SMEs. Results of the research show that there is a positive relationship 1) between external cooperation flexibility and innovation flexibility and 2) between innovation flexibility and business performance at SMEs. The findings of the research contribute to an understanding of the relationship between cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility and also innovation performance. The novelty value of this paper lies in its perception of flexibility as having two parts, namely external (with suppliers and customers) and internal cooperation flexibility. In addition, innovation flexibility was investigated in two fields, product, and accompanying services to products. The view mentioned provides a complex view of flexibility.

The effect of entrepreneurship orientation and flexibility toward adaptive innovation and improved firm performance

“…If the absorption of strategic flexibility drivers can be carried out properly, it will be able to increase business model innovation (Miroshnychenko et al, 2020). This result supports previous research by Dibrell (2014), Li &Liu (2010), andTomášková &Kanovská (2022).…”

“…The novelty value lies in flexibility perception which consists of: external (with suppliers and customers) and internal cooperation flexibility. Research results Tomášková & Kanovská (2022) show that external cooperation flexibility and internal cooperation flexibility are related to innovation flexibility in SMEs. Flexibility has positively affected adaptive innovation (Dibrell, 2014;Li & Liu, 2010).…”

Attitudes and Pro-Environmental Behavior of Representatives of Generation Z from the Example of Poland and Germany

“…The Likert scale questions concerned undertaking specific pro-ecological activities in everyday life (the scale included answers ranging from 'I have never encountered such an opportunity' to 'I always take part if possible'). This method was also used in other scientific texts, such as those written by Tomášková and Ka ňovská [33], or Virglerova, Ivanová, Dvorský, Belas, and Krulický [34]. A total of 311 responses were then later subjected to further statistical analyses.…”

Exploring the link between motivation and procrastination in the workplace: a case study of SMEs in Slovakia

“…ISSN 2345-0282 (online) http://jssidoi.org/jesi/ 2024 Volume 11 Number 3 (March) http://doi.org/10. 9770/jesi.2023.11.3(11) et al, 2022a), (Rózsa et al, 2023), (Civelek & Krajčík, 2022) and they have a positive influence on macroeconomic indicators (Vojtovič et al, 2016), (Tomášková & Kaňovská, 2022).SMEs also take a substantial role in producing value-added goods and services (Ključnikov et al, 2022b) and export volumes of countries. Although some studies (Vávrová, 2022), (Lincényi & Bulanda, 2023) mentioned that SMEs have more disadvantages than large enterprises regarding socio-economic outcomes.…”