Identifying the configurational paths to innovation in SMEs: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Meysam Poorkavoos, Yanqing Duan, John S. Edwards and Ramakrishnan Ramanathan

Journal of Business Research, 2016, vol. 69, issue 12, 5843-5854

Abstract: Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study investigates the conditions leading to a higher level of innovation. More specifically, the study explores the impact of inter-organisational knowledge transfer networks and organisations' internal capabilities on different types of innovation in Small to Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) in the high-tech sector. A survey instrument was used to collect data from a sample of UK SMEs. The findings show that although individual factors are important, there is no need for a company to perform well in all the areas. The fsQCA, which enables the examination of the impacts of different combinations of factors, reveals that there are a number of paths to achieve better incremental and radical innovation performance. Companies need to choose the one that is closest to their abilities and fits best with their resources.

Keywords: Innovation; innovation management; Inter-firm networks; Knowledge transfer; fsQCA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:69:y:2016:i:12:p:5843-5854

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.04.067

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