Measuring and benchmarking the innovativeness of SMEs: A three-dimensional fuzzy logic approach

Abstract

SMEs have been rather slow in adopting tools and techniques used in larger companies for improving their innovative performance, even if they are very well aware of the importance of innovation, due to difficulties in applying them in their practices. Furthermore, initiatives on improving the innovation within the SMEs in the past, have addressed ways of improving the product innovation process, through a wide spectrum of methods, techniques and tools without quantifying the degree of change of 'innovativeness'. The approach presented in this paper, addresses both these issues. In the first part of this paper, the most commonly used measures of innovation are presented, and the difficulties in applying them to SMEs are described. In the second part a new methodology is presented, which is based on measuring and benchmarking innovation with fuzzy logic, through an innovation survey. This is achieved by addressing three inter-related, but separately measurable, aspects of a company's innovation process-the products developed; the innovation process utilized; the way the product innovation process is project managed. The approach aims at improving the iterative process of innovation in a SME, by assessing innovation and determining a product innovation profile. Finally an example based on data from 100 companies coming from the creative industries sector is presented.

Determinants of Agri‐food Firms’ Participation in Public Funded Research and Development

“…As we said previously, some authors detected a positive relation between larger firms and innovation, because of improved access to human, financial resources and profit persistence (Bayona et al,2013;Karantininis et al, 2010;Laforet, 2008;Lin & Lin, 2012;Naranjo-Gil, 2009;Segarra & Arauzo, 2008;Hirch & Gschwandter, 2013;Triguero et al, 2013). On the contrary, other authors underline the ability of SMEs firms to innovate, based on their flexibility, interpersonal communication, etc (Bayona et al, 2001;;O'Regan et al, 2005;Maravelakis et al, 2006;Pla-Barber & Alegre, 2007;Alarcón & Sánchez, 2013). Some other authors do not detect relation between R&D and firm size (Pisano, 1990;PlaBarber &Alegre, 2007 andRobertson &Gatignon, 1998), so the impact of size on R&D is a question that needs further research, as it is undertaken in this paper.…”

Market orientation vs. inovativeness of SMEs of Podlaskie province

“…However, their ability to adopt tools and techniques that create innovation is much lower than in the case of large companies (Maravelakis et al 2006).…”

The Role of Sustainable New Product Development in Demand Driven Chains

“…Similar study has emphasized heavily upon process innovation that could result in product innovation and likewise product innovation which could force process innovation on manufacturing organisations. This further proves that there is a strong linkage of product and process innovation that should be considered as an important factor during the NPD process [13]. Finally, market innovation is considered as a newer approach which companies have been adopting in order to scale and utilise the target market.…”