From automation to databased business models - digitalization and its links to innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises

Jörg Thomä and Thore S. Bischoff

No 31/2022, ifh Working Papers from Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh)

Abstract: In order to provide a better basis for measuring the complex interplay between digital technologies, competences and innovation, the present paper examines the digitalization-innovation link in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Starting from a review of the fourth edition of the Oslo Manual, a qualitative content analysis of interview data on innovating German SMEs is conducted to derive a category system that covers the multidimensional relationship between digitalization and firm-level innovation. Its empirical application confirms the heterogeneity of innovating SMEs with regard to digital transformation. While some SMEs are slow to find their way into digitalizing their innovation processes, others have started to use new digital technologies for efficiency reasons in the sense of "doing the same with less", while still others are aligning their entire business model with the requirements of digital environments based on the innovation principle of "doing something new". The paper concludes with implications for innovation measurement, managers, policy and research.

Keywords: Digitalization; Digital innovation; Innovation measurement; Qualitative content analysis; SMEs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D22 O31 O32 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022, Revised 2022
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-ent, nep-ict, nep-sbm and nep-tid
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:ifhwps:312021

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