Innovation Success of Non-R&D-Performers: Substituting Technology by Management in SMEs

Alfred Spielkamp, Dirk Czarnitzki and Christian Rammer

No 08-092, ZEW Discussion Papers from ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of in-house R&D and innovation management practices on innovation success in small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). While there is little doubt about the significance of technology competence for generating successful innovations, inhouse R&D activities may be a particular challenge for SMEs due to high risk exposure, high fixed costs, high minimum investment and severe financial constraints. SMEs may thus opt for refraining from R&D and relying more on innovation management tools in order to achieve innovation success. We analyse whether such a strategy can pay off. Based on data from the German CIS we find that R&D activities are a main driver for innovation success if combined with external R&D, using external innovation sources or by entering into cooperation agreements. SMEs without in-house R&D can yield a similar innovation success if they effectively apply human resource management tools or team work to facilitate innovation processes.

Keywords: Innovation Success; R&D; Innovation Management; SMEs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L25 O31 O32 O38 O47 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-ent, nep-ino, nep-knm, nep-mic, nep-ppm and nep-tid
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Innovation success of non-R&D-performers: substituting technology by management in SMEs (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:zewdip:7434

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