Several studies indicate that innovation increases competitiveness. Based on thisstatement, the current paper is focused on the understanding the relationship between technological innovation and competitivity observed in the electromedical equipments industry and on the identification of major factors that may influence that relationship. Two exploratory researches were conducted using qualitative methodologies: one was based on the Grounded Theory and the other using Content Analysis. The first research brought evidences of the importance of technological innovation on the production chain to achieve competitivity. The second research identified the following factors that influence that relationship: strategies employed to innovate; external environmental conditions that favor innovation; favorable stimuli of innovation; and internal conditions that favor innovation. These factors converge to obtain desirable benefits from innovation that lead to competitive advantages. The study confirmed the hypothesis that manufacturers use technologicalinnovation to get competitive advantages.
Technological innovation; Innovation and competitiveness; Competitive advantage; Electromedical equipment; Health área