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Managing the innovation process of small and medium-sized enterprises: The important roles of reflecting and employee involvement

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: How does the innovation process of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) unfold, and how do SMEs manage the innovation process? These are important questions to answer because the context of SMEs presented unique benefits and challenges for innovation to occur. In this study, we interviewed owner managers and senior managers of 31 Australian SMEs about their innovation process and analyzed the data using NVivo. We delineated 10 managerial activities during SMEs’ innovation process: listening, searching, problematizing, challenging, choosing, steering, inspiring, communicating, resourcing, and tracking. Furthermore, we found that SMEs develop a dynamic capability of reflecting based on these activities and rely on employee involvement to resolve the conflicts arising from them. This article enriches our understanding on how dynamic capabilities and employee involvement contribute to the innovation process of SMEs. JEL Classification: L2, M1, O3

Source: Australian Journal of Management

DOI: 10.1177/03128962241270771

Authors: Steven Lui, Salih Zeki Ozdemir, Chris J. Jackson, George A. Shinkle, Benjamin R. Walker

Institutions: UNSW Sydney, Monash University

Language: English

Topic: Innovation and Knowledge Management

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,700