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

  • Meysam Poorkavoos
    ,
  • Yanqing Duan
    ,
  • John S. Edwards
    ,
  • Ram Ramanathan
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

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.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 5843-5854

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Business Research (Volume 69, Issue 12)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 25/04/2016
  • Published - 01/05/2016

Publication status

Published - 01/05/2016

ISSN

0148-2963

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/621912
  • Scopus: 84964687530

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