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DETERMINANTS OF INNOVATION IN MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES: A MANAGEMENT APPROACH

ABSTRACT

The article sought to evaluate the impact of management factors on the innovation capability of micro and small enterprises (SMEs). A total of 315 SMEs were analyzed in Pernambuco in the period 2015-2016. The following internal factors were considered: leadership, people management, information and knowledge, customer relationship, business-society relationship, results, age, and size. The innovation capability was measured by the degree of sectoral innovation. The relationships were analyzed by means of multiple linear regression and data envelopment analysis. The results demonstrated that leadership, information and knowledge, customer relationships, and society positively influence innovation capability and its efficiency.

KEYWORDS:
Innovation capability; determinants of innovation; micro and small businesses; data envelopment analysis; multiple linear regression

RESUMO

O artigo buscou avaliar o impacto de fatores gerenciais sobre a capacidade inovativa de micro e pequenas empresas (MPEs). Analisaram-se 315 MPEs em Pernambuco, no período 2015-2016. Foram considerados como fatores internos: liderança; gerenciamento de pessoas; informações e conhecimentos; relacionamento com clientes e sociedade; resultados; idade; tamanho. A capacidade inovativa foi mensurada pelo grau de inovação setorial. As relações foram analisadas por meio de regressão linear múltipla e análise envoltória de dados, cujos resultados demonstraram que a liderança, informações e conhecimentos, relacionamento com clientes e a sociedade influenciam positivamente a capacidade inovativa e sua eficiência.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE:
Capacidade inovativa; determinantes da inovação; micro e pequenas empresas; análise envoltória de dados; regressão linear múltipla

RESUMEN

El artículo tiene como objetivo evaluar el impacto de los factores gerenciales sobre la capacidad innovadora de micro y pequeñas empresas (MYPE). Se analizaron 315 MYPE en Pernambuco, en el período 2015-2016. Se consideraron como factores internos: liderazgo; gestión de personas; información y conocimiento; relaciones con los clientes y la sociedad; resultados; edad; y tamaño. La capacidad innovadora se midió por el grado de innovación sectorial. Las relaciones se analizaron mediante regresión lineal múltiple y análisis envolvente de datos, los resultados mostraron que el liderazgo, la información y conocimiento, y las relaciones con los clientes y la sociedad influyen positivamente en la capacidad innovadora y su eficiencia.

PALABRAS CLAVE:
Capacidad innovadora; determinantes de la innovación; micro y pequeñas empresas; análisis envolvente de datos; regresión lineal múltiple

INTRODUCTION

Innovation represents the search for novelty that enables organizations to increase their competitiveness and face competition (Schumpeter, 1988Schumpeter, J. A. (1988). A teoria do desenvolvimento econômico. São Paulo, SP: Nova Cultural.). The ability to innovate is seen as an important element for the performance of organizations and the economic sector, since it allows the market to leave the steady state. According to this author, large organizations have access to greater business opportunities and find it easy to innovate because they have a superior management structure.

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) face difficulties in accessing technological resources because they have fewer resources and limited capacities, (Laforet & Tann, 2006Laforet, S., & Tann, J. (2006). Innovative characteristics of small manufacturing firms. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 13(3), 363-380. doi: 10.1108/14626000610680253
https://doi.org/10.1108/1462600061068025...
), which restrict their innovation capability. This capability results from several capacities developed by the firm, such as technological, operational, managerial, and commercial capabilities (Zawislak, Alves, Tello-Gamarra, Barbieux, & Reichert, 2012Zawislak, P., Alves, C. A., Tello-Gamarra, J., Barbieux, D., & Reichert, F. (2012). Innovation capability: From technology development to transaction capability. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(2), pp.14-27. doi: 10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-2724201200...
). If on the one hand, MSEs have constraints on those capabilities driven by technology, then on the other hand the business-driven capabilities, such as managerial and commercial, can be crucial for developing innovation and gaining a competitive advantage. Therefore, obtaining a greater understanding of the innovation stage in MSEs and how managerial and business capabilities can foster innovation are beneficial to these organizations. Thus, studying this issue is essential to understanding how different factors act and impact organizational performance (Ganau & Maria, 2014Ganau, R., & Maria, E. (2014). Determinants of technological innovation in SME: Firm-level factors, agglomeration economies and the role of KIBS providers. 54º Congress of the European Regional Science Association, St. Petersburg, Russia.).

Therefore, it is necessary to know the resources associated with the capacities and analyze their impact on the innovation capability of the firm. Based on the Resource-Based View (RBV) (Wernerfelt, 1984Wernerfelt, B. (1984). A resource-based view of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 5(2), 171-180. doi: 10.1002/smj.4250050207
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250050207...
), authors such as Bayarçelik, Taşel, and Apak (2014)Bayarçelik, E. B., Taşel, F., & Apak, S. (2014). A research on determining innovation factors for SMEs. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.032
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
, Genis-Gruber and Öğüt (2014)Genis-Gruber, A., & Öğüt, H. (2014). Environmental factors affecting innovation strategies of companies: Customers and suppliers effect. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150(11), 718-725. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
, and Jong and Vermeulen (2006)Jong, J., & Vermeulen, P. (2006). Determinants of product innovation in small firms: A comparison across industries. International Small Business Journal, 24(6), 587-609. doi: 10.1177/0266242606069268
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242606069268...
analyzed this relationship, evaluating the importance of managerial factors in the development of innovation in small companies. They demonstrated the relevance of aspects, such as leadership (Bayarçelik et al., 2014Bayarçelik, E. B., Taşel, F., & Apak, S. (2014). A research on determining innovation factors for SMEs. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.032
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
), financial results (Bayarçelik et al., 2014Bayarçelik, E. B., Taşel, F., & Apak, S. (2014). A research on determining innovation factors for SMEs. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.032
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
), and customer orientation (Genis-Gruber & Öğüt, 2014Genis-Gruber, A., & Öğüt, H. (2014). Environmental factors affecting innovation strategies of companies: Customers and suppliers effect. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150(11), 718-725. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
).

Despite the focus on managerial aspects, the authors adopt a limited perspective of organizational management and do not understand how several managerial factors and their interactions influence innovation. Moreover, cultural and sectoral aspects can affect established relationships (Genis-Gruber & Öğüt, 2014Genis-Gruber, A., & Öğüt, H. (2014). Environmental factors affecting innovation strategies of companies: Customers and suppliers effect. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150(11), 718-725. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
). Managerial aspects of innovation remain scarcely exploited (Kamasak, 2015Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
), and the absence of studies addressing these relationships in SMEs in developing countries contributes to this gap (Elj & Abbassi, 2014Elj, M. El, & Abassi, B. (2014). The determinants of innovation: An empirical analysis in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 35(4), 560-578. doi: 10.1080/02255189.2014.934787
https://doi.org/10.1080/02255189.2014.93...
).

In this context, this work proposes to answer the following research question: Which factors related to organizational management impact the innovation capability of MSEs?

From the development of the research, we intend to get to know the managerial factors that propitiate the innovation, allowing the organizations to identify and develop the necessary capabilities for the activity. Also, analyzing the stage of innovation of the MSEs makes it possible to understand the differences before large organizations, stimulating the development of public policies focused on needs.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The competitive advantage obtained by the firm can be understood in terms of the dynamic capabilities it develops (Teece, 2007Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350. doi: 10.1002/smj.640
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640...
; Teece, Pisano, & Shuen, 1997Teece, D. J., Pisano G., & Shuen A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509-533. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(...
) and its ability to build and reconfigure internal and external competencies to respond rapidly to environmental changes.

In this sense, innovation can be seen as an expected result of having such capacities, since innovation capability is a special resource of the firm that leads it to the achievement of competitive advantage and, consequently, of extraordinary profits (Schumpeter, 1988Schumpeter, J. A. (1988). A teoria do desenvolvimento econômico. São Paulo, SP: Nova Cultural.).

According to Guan and Ma (2003)Guan, J., & Ma, N. (2003). Innovative capability and export performance of Chinese firms. Technovation, 23(9), 737-747. doi: 10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00013-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00...
, the firm's innovation capability is related with internal experiences and experimental acquisition. It is related with the "ability to absorb, adapt and transform a given technology into specific management, operations, and transaction routines that can lead a company to Schumpeterian profits" (Zawislak et al., 2012Zawislak, P., Alves, C. A., Tello-Gamarra, J., Barbieux, D., & Reichert, F. (2012). Innovation capability: From technology development to transaction capability. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(2), pp.14-27. doi: 10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-2724201200...
, p. 15).

These authors see the innovation capability as a result of the set of capabilities, driven by technology and business. In the technological context, it is possible to find the capacity to apply knowledge to transform resources into products through routines, that is, technological development and operational capabilities. In the business context, in turn, it is possible to find the capacity of the firms to launch developed solutions in the market with a low transaction cost, that is, managerial and commercial capabilities.

Although firms have all four capabilities, one of them is expected to dominate over a certain period (Zawislak et al., 2012Zawislak, P., Alves, C. A., Tello-Gamarra, J., Barbieux, D., & Reichert, F. (2012). Innovation capability: From technology development to transaction capability. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(2), pp.14-27. doi: 10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-2724201200...
). Although MSEs do not have deep knowledge and skills to develop and operate a new technology (Laforet & Tann, 2006Laforet, S., & Tann, J. (2006). Innovative characteristics of small manufacturing firms. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 13(3), 363-380. doi: 10.1108/14626000610680253
https://doi.org/10.1108/1462600061068025...
), their managerial and commercial capability can be decisive to innovate. Their management structure allows them to have flexibility and entrepreneurial attitude, which could facilitate innovation (Scherer, 1988Scherer, F. M. (1988). Testimony before the subcommittee on monopolies and commercial law. Committee on the Judiciary, US House of Representatives.).

As Teece (2007)Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350. doi: 10.1002/smj.640
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640...
points out, managerial and organizational competencies enable the firm to gain competitive advantage and to transform continually to maintain this advantage. These competencies are central elements of the dynamic capabilities (Teece et al., 1997Teece, D. J., Pisano G., & Shuen A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509-533. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(...
), and greatly important for the innovation performance (Alves, Barbieux, Reichert, Tello-Gamarra, & Zawislak, 2017Alves, A., Barbieux, D., Reichert, F., Tello-Gamarra, J., & Zawislak, P. (2017). Innovation and dynamic capabilities of the firm: Defining an assessment model. RAE-Revista de Administração de Empresas, 57(3), 232-244. doi: 10.1590/s0034-759020170304
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-7590201703...
). Therefore, the company's decision about its innovation process depends on the organizational structure and the management resources (Ganau & Maria, 2014Ganau, R., & Maria, E. (2014). Determinants of technological innovation in SME: Firm-level factors, agglomeration economies and the role of KIBS providers. 54º Congress of the European Regional Science Association, St. Petersburg, Russia.), while external resources complement this capacity (Teece, 2007Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350. doi: 10.1002/smj.640
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640...
).

The model proposed by Zawislak et al. (2012)Zawislak, P., Alves, C. A., Tello-Gamarra, J., Barbieux, D., & Reichert, F. (2012). Innovation capability: From technology development to transaction capability. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(2), pp.14-27. doi: 10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-2724201200...
uses the RBV, in which innovation is the result of the combination of the firm's capacities and resources, affected by market conditions. Therefore, the firm's capability results from the deployment of resources in combination through organizational processes to achieve the desired end (Amit & Schoemaker, 1993Amit, R., & Schoemaker, P. (1993). Strategic assets and organizational rent. Strategic Management Journal, 14(1), 33-46. doi: 10.1002/smj.4250140105
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250140105...
). Therefore, analyzing the effects of managerial and commercial capability on the innovation capability of MSEs involves analyzing the managerial and commercial resources (here called managerial factors), that is, specific assets controlled by the firm, that allow developing innovation.

Determinants of innovation capability

Reichert, Camboim, and Zawislak (2015)Reichert, F., Camboim, G., & Zawislak, P. (2015). Capacidades e trajetórias de inovação de empresas brasileiras. RAM-Revista de Administração Mackenzie, 16(5), 161-194. doi: 10.1590/1678-69712015/administracao.v16n5p161-194
https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-69712015/ad...
define managerial capability as "the set of skills and routines to carry out the overall task of coordinating the business and its resources" (p. 166), which refer to the ability to manage assets and activities, seeking efficiency. Commercial capability, in turn, refers to the ability to put into operation marketing and trading processes (Reichert et al., 2015), whose resources allow the transaction cost to be reduced (Williamson, 1985Williamson, O. (1985). The economic institutions of capitalism. New York, NY: Free Press.).

Sharing the RBV, a literary review was carried out that allowed the identification of six constructs through an exploratory approach. These constructs represent the managerial factors capable of influencing the innovative performance: (i) leadership; (ii) people management; (iii) information and knowledge; (iv) customer relationship; (v) business-society relationship; and (vi) results.

Furthermore, we also considered the variables size and age, given their relevance in the studies analyzed. The determinants considered are not intended to exhaust managerial factors, but rather to exemplify their multidimensionality.

Leadership

According to Schumpeter (1988)Schumpeter, J. A. (1988). A teoria do desenvolvimento econômico. São Paulo, SP: Nova Cultural., the entrepreneur is the transforming agent who, in search of bigger profits, develops innovation and induces economic development. The author emphasizes the importance of the entrepreneur in innovation, which is explored by Bayarçelik et al. (2014)Bayarçelik, E. B., Taşel, F., & Apak, S. (2014). A research on determining innovation factors for SMEs. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.032
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
when demonstrating that the management practiced by the leaders is a component of the capability of organizational innovation.

The experiences and knowledge acquired by the leaders influence this capability (Elj & Abbassi, 2014Elj, M. El, & Abassi, B. (2014). The determinants of innovation: An empirical analysis in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 35(4), 560-578. doi: 10.1080/02255189.2014.934787
https://doi.org/10.1080/02255189.2014.93...
; Farace & Mazzota, 2015Farace, S., & Mazzotta, F. (2015). The effect of human capital and networks on knowledge and innovation in SMEs. Journal of Innovation Economics, (16), 39-71. doi: 10.3917/jie.016.0039
https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.016.0039...
; Romijn & Albaladejo, 2002Romijn, H., & Albaladejo, M. (2002). Determinants of innovation capability in small electronics and software firms in southeast England. Research Policy, 31(7), 1053-1067. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00176-7
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00...
), and also the management style can facilitate and promote its development (Bayarçelik et al., 2014Bayarçelik, E. B., Taşel, F., & Apak, S. (2014). A research on determining innovation factors for SMEs. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.032
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
). After all, leadership can "provide resources and expertise, reduce bureaucratic layers, and promote collective understanding and interpersonal trust" (Bayarçelik et al., 2014Bayarçelik, E. B., Taşel, F., & Apak, S. (2014). A research on determining innovation factors for SMEs. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.032
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
, p. 206)

Thus, the maintenance of dynamic capability also requires the ability of entrepreneurs and managers to create special value by combining assets in the firm (Teece, 2007Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350. doi: 10.1002/smj.640
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640...
), thus the following research hypothesis is proposed:

H1: Leadership positively influences the innovation capability of MSEs.

People management

As it is an interactive process, innovation requires the combination of different knowledge and points of view (Söllner, 2010Söllner, R. (2010). Human capital diversity and product innovation: A micro-level analysis. Jena Economic Research Papers, 27, 1-33.). Human capital diversity can positively affect innovation generation in the organization (Farace & Mazzota, 2015Farace, S., & Mazzotta, F. (2015). The effect of human capital and networks on knowledge and innovation in SMEs. Journal of Innovation Economics, (16), 39-71. doi: 10.3917/jie.016.0039
https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.016.0039...
; Söllner, 2010), which shows the importance of people management in the innovative process. These authors demonstrated that innovation capability depends on the abilities of the entrepreneurs, as well as of the employees.

Management practices of selection, training, and employee motivation tend to contribute to innovation. As Lehtoranta (2005)Lehtoranta, O. (2005). Determinants of innovation and the economic growth of innovators: Racing the evolution of innovative firms over time (Working Papers 25). VTT Working Papers. Recuperado de https://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/workingpapers/2005/W25.pdf
https://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/workingpapers...
and Laforet (2011)Laforet, S. (2011). A framework of organisational innovation and outcomes in SMEs. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(4), 380-408. doi: 10.1108/13552551111139638
https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111113963...
point out, the process of recruiting skilled labor leads to an environment conducive to change, which promotes well-being in the enterprise and, consequently, results in innovation, allowing the proposition of the following hypothesis:

H2: People management positively influences the innovation capability of MSEs.

Information and knowledge

Gathering information allows the reduction of information asymmetry and, consequently, of transaction costs (Williamson, 1985Williamson, O. (1985). The economic institutions of capitalism. New York, NY: Free Press.) and provides valuable advantages for achieving innovative performance (Kamasak, 2015Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
).

Workforce skills become more important as the awareness of the role of internal and external networks in the organization grows (Farace & Mazzotta, 2015Farace, S., & Mazzotta, F. (2015). The effect of human capital and networks on knowledge and innovation in SMEs. Journal of Innovation Economics, (16), 39-71. doi: 10.3917/jie.016.0039
https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.016.0039...
). The establishment of networks promotes the sharing of knowledge between firms (Jong & Vermeulen, 2006Jong, J., & Vermeulen, P. (2006). Determinants of product innovation in small firms: A comparison across industries. International Small Business Journal, 24(6), 587-609. doi: 10.1177/0266242606069268
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242606069268...
), sharing the risks associated with innovations, which are highly onerous and risky to be undertaken alone (Love & Roper, 2001Love, J. H., & Roper, S. (2001). Location and network effects on innovation success: Evidence for UK, German and Irish manufacturing plants. Research Policy, 30(4), 643-661. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(00)00098-6
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(00)00...
).

Such consequences are not only perceptible in relations with technological and research centers. The relationship with suppliers and competitors can offer the company advantages in obtaining valuable information and knowledge (Kamasak, 2015Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
).

The absorption of information and knowledge from the network is capable of leading to innovation (Laforet, 2011Laforet, S. (2011). A framework of organisational innovation and outcomes in SMEs. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(4), 380-408. doi: 10.1108/13552551111139638
https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111113963...
), providing opportunities to develop radical and sustainable innovations. Besides, it is possible that network activities can influence other managerial aspects (Love & Roper, 2001Love, J. H., & Roper, S. (2001). Location and network effects on innovation success: Evidence for UK, German and Irish manufacturing plants. Research Policy, 30(4), 643-661. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(00)00098-6
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(00)00...
) since their use without investing in other resources will not result in superior innovative performance. For this reason, the following research hypothesis is proposed:

H3: Information and knowledge obtained by MSEs positively influence their innovation capability.

Customer relationship

The search for information about customers and the market allows the company to understand its needs better, facilitating the development of innovation and its acceptance in the market (Jiebing, Bin, & Yongjiang, 2013Jiebing, W., Bin, G., & Yongjiang, S. (2013). Customer knowledge management and IT-enabled business model innovation: A conceptual framework and a case study from China. European Management Journal, 31(4), 359-372. doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2013.02.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2013.02.00...
). The ideas and information the company receives from customers, through satisfaction surveys, for example, can help identify needs and provide customized products (Jiebing et al., 2013Jiebing, W., Bin, G., & Yongjiang, S. (2013). Customer knowledge management and IT-enabled business model innovation: A conceptual framework and a case study from China. European Management Journal, 31(4), 359-372. doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2013.02.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2013.02.00...
).

Customer relationship is important in the development of new ideas and product launches, process and organizational innovations, and business strategy (Genis-Gruber & Öğüt, 2014Genis-Gruber, A., & Öğüt, H. (2014). Environmental factors affecting innovation strategies of companies: Customers and suppliers effect. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150(11), 718-725. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
; Kamasak, 2015Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
; Laforet, 2011Laforet, S. (2011). A framework of organisational innovation and outcomes in SMEs. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(4), 380-408. doi: 10.1108/13552551111139638
https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111113963...
). It allows the identification of opportunities in a more efficient way, reducing the risks of innovation, which supports the following research hypothesis:

H4: Customer relationship positively influences the innovation capability of MSEs.

Business-society relationship

Regulatory issues are seen as inhibiting and also facilitating innovation. Although it is an external factor to the company, the attendance to regulatory, social, and environmental aspects can contribute to the innovation capability.

For Nidumolu, Prahalad, and Rangaswami (2009)Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C. K., & Rangaswami, M. R. (2009). Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard Business Review. Recuperado de https://hbr.org.
https://hbr.org...
, companies that comply with regulations become more proactive to innovate, since knowledge and compliance with regulatory issues can be used as a source of competitive advantage. Companies that comply with the most stringent regulations (whether economic, social or environmental), even before they are applied, have substantial advantages in terms of innovation (Nidumolu et al., 2009Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C. K., & Rangaswami, M. R. (2009). Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard Business Review. Recuperado de https://hbr.org.
https://hbr.org...
).

These authors emphasize regulatory aspects and sustainability as a driver of innovation. Companies that seek sustainability increase the chances of becoming a leader in the innovation process (Deloitte, 2013Deloitte. (2013). Sustainability driven innovation: Harnessing sustainability's ability to spark innovation. Recuperado de https://www.mvovlaanderen.be/sites/default/files/media/Rapport%20Deloitte.pdf
https://www.mvovlaanderen.be/sites/defau...
), as this allows approaching a point of view differently and exploring new ideas. In this sense, the following hypothesis is developed:

H5: Business-society relationship positively influences the innovation capability of MSEs.

Results

For Bayarçelik et al. (2008)Bachmann, D. L., & Destefani, J. H. (2008). Metodologia para estimar o grau das inovações nas MPE. Curitiba, PR: Sebrae. the company's innovation capability is associated with its resources, especially the ones related to financial factors, supporting the studies of Lecerf (2012)Lecerf, M. A. (2012). Internationalization and innovation: The effects of a strategy mix on the economic performance of French SMEs. International Business Research, 5(6), 1-13. doi: 10.5539/ibr.v5n6p2
https://doi.org/10.5539/ibr.v5n6p2...
, Laforet (2011)Laforet, S. (2011). A framework of organisational innovation and outcomes in SMEs. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(4), 380-408. doi: 10.1108/13552551111139638
https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111113963...
, and Romijn and Albaladejo (2002)Romijn, H., & Albaladejo, M. (2002). Determinants of innovation capability in small electronics and software firms in southeast England. Research Policy, 31(7), 1053-1067. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00176-7
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00...
. These studies point out to the influence of financial factors on innovation, agreeing with the Schumpeterian perspective that considers credit a necessary condition for innovation.

Sustainable financial performance allows the retained profit to be invested in innovation, and also makes leverage possible to carry out the activity. Souza-Pinto (2015)Souza-Pinto, H. (2015). A influência das características organizacionais na capacidade absortiva (Dissertação de mestrado). Recuperado de http://repositorio.ufpe.br/
http://repositorio.ufpe.br/...
emphasizes not only the importance of the result per se but also draws attention to the controls on financial and non-financial results to improve innovation performance, supporting the following hypothesis:

H6: Results obtained by MSEs positively influence their innovation capability.

Age

The age of the company represents the experience and the knowledge accumulated throughout its history and is related to the best management of communication, creativity, and the capability of absorption (Galende & Fuente, 2003Galende, J., & Fuente, J. M. La. (2003). Internal factors determining a firm's innovative behaviour. Research Policy, 32(5), 715-736. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00082-3
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00...
). As it allows to measure the experience and the learning of the companies, age is used to measure the organizational resources (Ganau & Maria, 2014Ganau, R., & Maria, E. (2014). Determinants of technological innovation in SME: Firm-level factors, agglomeration economies and the role of KIBS providers. 54º Congress of the European Regional Science Association, St. Petersburg, Russia.). Thus, it is expected that older companies are more likely to innovate, given the accumulated knowledge and experience, supporting the following hypothesis:

H7: Age positively influences the innovation capability of MSEs.

On the other hand, Thornhill (2006)Thornhill, S. (2006). Knowledge, innovation and firm performance in high- and low-technology regimes. Journal of Business Venturing, 21(5), 687-703. doi: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2005.06.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2005....
found negative effects of age on innovation, related to the obsolescence effect identified by Sorensen and Stuart (2000)Sorensen, J. B., & Stuart, T. E. (2000). Aging, obsolescence, and organizational innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 45(1), 81-112. doi: 10.2307/2666980
https://doi.org/10.2307/2666980...
. As firms mature, they develop routines and skills that are used to innovate and facilitate the learning process (Dosi, Nelson, & Winter, 2000Dosi, G., Nelson, R., & Winter, S. (2000). The nature and dynamics of organizational capabilities. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. ). However, as they focus on these competencies, they become obsolete, making innovation difficult (Sorensen & Stuart, 2000Sorensen, J. B., & Stuart, T. E. (2000). Aging, obsolescence, and organizational innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 45(1), 81-112. doi: 10.2307/2666980
https://doi.org/10.2307/2666980...
).

Size

According to Schumpeter (1988)Schumpeter, J. A. (1988). A teoria do desenvolvimento econômico. São Paulo, SP: Nova Cultural., firm size determines innovation, since larger firms have a superior management structure that facilitates access to business opportunities (Thornhill, 2006Thornhill, S. (2006). Knowledge, innovation and firm performance in high- and low-technology regimes. Journal of Business Venturing, 21(5), 687-703. doi: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2005.06.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2005....
). Thus, larger firms have more opportunities to develop innovations and benefit from their results.

H8: Size positively influences the innovation capability of the MSEs.

The determinants addressed in this research are compatible with the organizational characteristics discussed by Souza-Pinto (2015)Souza-Pinto, H. (2015). A influência das características organizacionais na capacidade absortiva (Dissertação de mestrado). Recuperado de http://repositorio.ufpe.br/
http://repositorio.ufpe.br/...
through the framework of the absorptive capability of Machado and Fracasso (2012)Machado, R. E., & Fracasso, E. M. (2012). A influência dos fatores internos na capacidade absortiva e na inovação: Proposta de um framework. XXVII Simpósio de Gestão da Inovação Tecnológica da ANPAD. Salvador, BA.. However, the literature review allowed the inclusion of new variables and the exclusion of others, leading to the design of the eight research hypotheses, according to Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1
Research hypotheses

METHODOLOGY

The present section aims at demonstrating the method used to reach the proposed goal.

Population and research sample

The population used in this study consisted of MSEs participating in the Local Agent of Innovation (ALI) program, located in Pernambuco, during 2015 and 2016. We considered as MSEs those organizations covered in the Complementary Law No. 123 (2006)Lei Complementar Nº 123, de 14 de dezembro de 2006. (2006). Institui o Estatuto Nacional da Microempresa e da Empresa de Pequeno Porte. Brasília..

Out of the 2,838 companies participating in the program in 2016, 315 were randomly selected, providing a 5.21% error and a 95% confidence level. For the selection, the most representative segments in the program were prioritized: food industry, furniture, clothing, gastronomy, and tourism industry. The data used refers to the initial diagnosis performed by the program, before the effective participation of the company, so that the actions developed by the ALI did not affect the results obtained.

Although the sample was not stratified between the segments, it does not show any discrepancy between the frequencies of the groups, being representative of the population, as demonstrated in the Chi-square test (χ2 = 3.714, with a significance level of 0.466 and α = 0.05).

Econometric model

The purpose of this paper is to identify and quantify the impact of managerial factors on the innovation capability of MSEs. Therefore, multiple regression consists of an appropriate statistical method, allowing to determine the effect (quantity and direction) of the independent variables on the dependent variable (Galende & Fuente, 2003Galende, J., & Fuente, J. M. La. (2003). Internal factors determining a firm's innovative behaviour. Research Policy, 32(5), 715-736. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00082-3
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00...
). Given the suitability of the method to the objective, Kamasak (2015)Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
and Galende and Fuente (2003)Galende, J., & Fuente, J. M. La. (2003). Internal factors determining a firm's innovative behaviour. Research Policy, 32(5), 715-736. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00082-3
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00...
used multiple regression to measure the impact of different variables on innovation.

The equation below presents the proposed econometric model:

(1) CI i , t = α + β 1 X n , i , t + β 2 Age i , t + β 3 Size i , t + β 4 sec tor i + ε i , t

where:

CIi,t: innovation capability of the firm i at time t; α is the constant; Xn,i,t: managerial factors n of firm i at time t; Tamanhoi,t: neperian logarithm of the age of firm i at time t; Idadei,t: neperian logarithm of firm size i at time t; Setori: dummy referring to the sector of the company i; e εi,t: error term referring to company i at time t .

For tabulation and analysis, the software packages Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS(r)) version 21 and STATA(r) version 12 were used.

Independent variables

The managerial factors, considered independent variables in the model, were composed of the constructs presented in the literary review. Moreover, a dummy variable referring to the economic sector was included in the regression.

The constructs were measured by the arithmetic mean of different components, which reflect the different aspects considered in the literature, based on the structured questionnaire provided by the ALI, used by Vasconcelos, Mello, and Melo (2016)Vasconcelos, R. B. B., Mello, P. R. C. B., & Melo, F. V. S. (2016). Gestão empresarial e inovação: Uma análise sobre os determinantes da inovação em micro e pequenas empresas do setor de alimentos e bebidas. Future Studies Research Journal, 3(8), 138-165.. The components are described in Exhibit 2.

Exhibit 2
Internal factors related to organizational management

Dependent variable

Many of the studies that analyze innovation capability associate it with technological innovation, research and development or patents. However, different companies may have different types of innovation throughout life cycles, not necessarily associated with technology (Alves et al., 2017Alves, A., Barbieux, D., Reichert, F., Tello-Gamarra, J., & Zawislak, P. (2017). Innovation and dynamic capabilities of the firm: Defining an assessment model. RAE-Revista de Administração de Empresas, 57(3), 232-244. doi: 10.1590/s0034-759020170304
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-7590201703...
).

Therefore, innovation capability was analyzed through the innovation radar to approach innovation holistically (Bachmann & Destefani, 2008Bachmann, D. L., & Destefani, J. H. (2008). Metodologia para estimar o grau das inovações nas MPE. Curitiba, PR: Sebrae.; Sawhney, Wolcott, & Arroniz, 2006Sawhney, M., Wolcott, R. C., & Arroniz, I. (2006). The 12 different ways for companies to innovate. MIT Sloan Management Review, 47(3), 175-81.), as shown in Exhibit 3.

Exhibit 3
Dimensions of innovation radar

Thus, the innovation capability was analyzed in a wide way and can occur in any dimension of the business system, since in all of them, opportunities to innovate that are capable of generating value for the organization can be found. Furthermore, it is possible to observe an association between the 13 dimensions of the innovation radar and the seven dimensions of the innovation capability proposed by Guan and Ma (2003)Guan, J., & Ma, N. (2003). Innovative capability and export performance of Chinese firms. Technovation, 23(9), 737-747. doi: 10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00013-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00...
.

Innovation capability was measured by the Degree of Sectorial Innovation (DSI) proposed by Oliveira, Cavalcanti, Paiva, and Marques (2014)Oliveira, M. R. G., Cavalcanti, A. M., Paiva, F. G. Júnior, & Marques, D. B. (2014). Mensurando a inovação por meio do grau de inovação setorial e do característico setorial de inovação. Revista de Administração e Inovação, 11(1), 115-137. doi: 10.5773/rai.v11i1.1120
https://doi.org/10.5773/rai.v11i1.1120...
to incorporate the heterogeneity of the sectors to which the companies belong. Thus, the impact of the dimensions of each segment of the organization was calculated using equations 2 and 3.

(2) GI Mt = k = 1 13 p k D Mk

(3) CI i , t = GIS it = k = 1 13 p k D ik k = 1 13 p k D Mk

Where:

GISMt: degree of sectorial innovation for sector M at time t; GISit: degree of sectorial innovation of the firm i at time t;Dik: value of innovation dimension k for firm i;Dmk: value of innovation dimension k for sector M; pk: weight of innovation dimensions k.

The weight of the innovation dimension pk is obtained by:

(4) max k = 1 13 p k D Mk

subject to:

k = 1 13 p k = 1 p k 0 , 05 for k D Mk p k 0 , 5 for k

Data envelopment analysis

Although regression represents a good method for analysis, derived models can provide misguided prediction measures (Klimberg, Lawrence, Yermish, La, & Mrazik, 2009Klimberg, R. K., Lawrence, K. D., Yermish, I., La, T., & Mrazik, D. (2009). Using regression and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to forecast bank performance over time. In K. D. Lawrence, & G. Kleinman (Eds.), Financial modeling applications and data envelopment applications (pp. 133-142). Bingley, UK: Emerald.), since the relative weight of independent variables can vary between comparable units.

Thus, the determinants of innovation were also evaluated by the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), calculating the importance of each factor for the weights that assign the highest possible score for each firm evaluated, providing a better breakdown of the explanatory variables. The DEA allowed the identification of the organizations that obtained optimal allocation between the determinants of innovation (inputs) and the innovations generated (outputs), that is, that obtained efficiency.

The DEA analyzed the input to observe the efficiency in the use of the resources in the generation of the innovation capability. Therefore, the managerial factors were the inputs of the model, while the innovation dimensions were the outputs. It was also assumed that the model does not require constant returns of scale, since an increase in the inputs can promote increase or decrease in the output, not necessarily proportional. Therefore, the variable-scale return model (Banker, Charnes, & Cooper, 1984Banker, R. D., Charnes, A., & Cooper, W. W. (1984). Some models for estimating technical and scale inefficiencies in data envelopment analysis. Management Science, 30(9), 1078-1092. doi: 10.1287/mnsc.30.9.1078
https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.30.9.1078...
) was used, using MaxDEA(r) software in version 6.13.

RESULTS

In this section, the research results are presented and discussed.

Descriptive statistics

In Table 1, it is possible to observe that the distribution of the sample shows a higher concentration in the food industry segments and lower concentration in the furniture industry. However, as stated, the frequencies between the segments do not show statistical differences, according to Chi-square test.

Table 1
Sample composition

About 40% of MSEs analyzed have been in existence for between one and five years; lower the frequency, greater the age range, revealing a tendency to mortality over the years (Brazilian Service of Support to Micro and Small Enterprises [SEBRAE], 2013). It was observed that 58% of companies have up to 10 employees, and that the lower the frequency, the bigger the size. A higher concentration of companies (86.7%) in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (RMR) was observed, and the other regions (south coast, north coast, agreste, and sertão) represented 13.3% of the sample.

Innovation capability

Table 2 presents the dimensions of the innovation radar, related to the innovation capability of the firms. It is possible to observe that the innovations developed by the MSEs that were analyzed do not cover equally all dimensions of the radar. On the contrary, there is a concentration in certain activities, revealing that MSEs find it easy or difficult to innovate in some dimensions.

Table 2
Average of innovation dimensions by segment

The expressiveness of the "supply" and "platform" dimensions reveal the focus on product innovations. As pointed out by Nooteboom (1994)Nooteboom, B. (1994). Innovation and diffusion in small firms: Theory and evidence. Small Business Economics, 6(5), 327-347. doi: 10.1007/BF01065137
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065137...
, the prioritization of product innovations, especially in market niches, aims at overcoming the shortcomings before the large companies.

Although the innovations developed by the MSEs are not related to technological innovation, it is possible to observe that the analyzed companies are engaged in activities of development of new products and services, new operational arrangements, seeking proximity to customers and stakeholders, as contemplated by commercial innovations (Reichert et al., 2015Reichert, F., Camboim, G., & Zawislak, P. (2015). Capacidades e trajetórias de inovação de empresas brasileiras. RAM-Revista de Administração Mackenzie, 16(5), 161-194. doi: 10.1590/1678-69712015/administracao.v16n5p161-194
https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-69712015/ad...
).

Unlike the firms analyzed by Guan and Ma (2003)Guan, J., & Ma, N. (2003). Innovative capability and export performance of Chinese firms. Technovation, 23(9), 737-747. doi: 10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00013-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00...
, the results suggest that MSEs seek to focus on core innovation assets rather than supplementary assets. Innovations prioritized by MSEs (supply, platform, customers, relationship, network) are related to the manufacturing and marketing capability related to core assets. Less prioritized innovations (supply chain, organization, processes, innovative environment), in turn, are related to the firm's capacity to support and harmonize the basic capability for innovation to effectively play its role regarding supplementary assets.

Although supplementary assets complement core assets, they are crucial for the firm to achieve competitiveness sustainably. The low engagement of MSEs in these innovations can contribute to a lower performance before large companies.

Table 2 also shows the most relevant dimensions for each segment (pk>0.05), obtained by equation 4, in which it is possible to visualize similarities and differences in the profile of the innovations. The "offering," "platform," and "brand" dimensions are relevant for most segments; the "customers" dimension is considered critical for the food, furniture, and clothing industry segments; and "solutions" is relevant for the hotel and tourism segment. The "customer experience" dimension stands out in the clothing, gastronomy, and hotel and tourism segments; and "networking" is impressive for furniture and hotel and tourism.

By the averages and weights (pk) obtained, the degree of sectorial innovation (DSIMt) was calculated using equation 2. Obtaining the DSIMt made it possible to incorporate the characteristics of the respective segments in the evaluation of the innovation capability, and to make comparisons between them.

While hotel and tourism was the most innovative segment, the food industry appears to be the least innovative. The Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrates that the differences between the means of the segments are significant. Compared to Oliveira et al. (2014)Oliveira, M. R. G., Cavalcanti, A. M., Paiva, F. G. Júnior, & Marques, D. B. (2014). Mensurando a inovação por meio do grau de inovação setorial e do característico setorial de inovação. Revista de Administração e Inovação, 11(1), 115-137. doi: 10.5773/rai.v11i1.1120
https://doi.org/10.5773/rai.v11i1.1120...
, DSI growth is observed in all segments between the period analyzed by these authors (2010-2011) and of this research (2015-2016), demonstrating a commitment to the development of innovations.

Table 3
Degree of sectorial innovation

Graphs 1 and 2 present the innovation dimensions for the industry and service sectors, by measuring the weight (pk) and the mean innovation size for the segment (DMk). Despite the differences between innovation intensities, it is possible to identify similarities between the segments studied. While innovations in core assets were prioritized, they received few investments in industry and service in the supplementary assets.

Graph 1
Radar of innovation for the industry sector

Graph 2
Radar of innovation for the service sector

Regression results

DSIit was calculated for each company using equation 3, representing the innovation capability (CIi,t). As proposed in the model, the CIi,t refers to the dependent variable, and the managerial factors refers to the independent variables.

Table 4 shows the correlation matrix of the analyzed variables. All dependent variables have a positive correlation with innovation capability, agreeing with the literature. However, managerial factors are also positively and moderately related to each other, since the development of one management resource can foster another (Jong & Vermeulen, 2006Jong, J., & Vermeulen, P. (2006). Determinants of product innovation in small firms: A comparison across industries. International Small Business Journal, 24(6), 587-609. doi: 10.1177/0266242606069268
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242606069268...
; Love & Roper, 2001Love, J. H., & Roper, S. (2001). Location and network effects on innovation success: Evidence for UK, German and Irish manufacturing plants. Research Policy, 30(4), 643-661. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(00)00098-6
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(00)00...
). Despite the correlation, no multicollinearity was found in the regression.

Table 4
Spearman Correlation

Table 5 shows the results of the multiple linear regression and assumptions for the 315 companies. The proposed model presented good predictive power, with R2 of 33.6%, superior to the models of Alves et al. (2017)Alves, A., Barbieux, D., Reichert, F., Tello-Gamarra, J., & Zawislak, P. (2017). Innovation and dynamic capabilities of the firm: Defining an assessment model. RAE-Revista de Administração de Empresas, 57(3), 232-244. doi: 10.1590/s0034-759020170304
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-7590201703...
, Farace and Mazzota (2015)Farace, S., & Mazzotta, F. (2015). The effect of human capital and networks on knowledge and innovation in SMEs. Journal of Innovation Economics, (16), 39-71. doi: 10.3917/jie.016.0039
https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.016.0039...
, Ganau and Maria (2014)Ganau, R., & Maria, E. (2014). Determinants of technological innovation in SME: Firm-level factors, agglomeration economies and the role of KIBS providers. 54º Congress of the European Regional Science Association, St. Petersburg, Russia. and Galende and Fuente (2003)Galende, J., & Fuente, J. M. La. (2003). Internal factors determining a firm's innovative behaviour. Research Policy, 32(5), 715-736. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00082-3
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00...
. Although this study focuses only on managerial and commercial resources, the variables considered presented good explanatory power about the firm's innovation capability.

Table 5
Multiple linear regression

The regression result showed that "leadership," "customers," "society," and "information and knowledge" had a positive and significant impact on innovation generation, emphasizing the importance of these resources for the development of dynamic capability. However, the variables "people," "results," "age," and "size" were not relevant.

The significance of the variable "leadership" corroborates with Teece (2007)Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350. doi: 10.1002/smj.640
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640...
, who considers the entrepreneur an important component of dynamic capability. His previous experiences, knowledge, and skills play a crucial role in the development of innovation (Farace & Mazotta, 2015Farace, S., & Mazzotta, F. (2015). The effect of human capital and networks on knowledge and innovation in SMEs. Journal of Innovation Economics, (16), 39-71. doi: 10.3917/jie.016.0039
https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.016.0039...
; Romijn & Albaladejo, 2002Romijn, H., & Albaladejo, M. (2002). Determinants of innovation capability in small electronics and software firms in southeast England. Research Policy, 31(7), 1053-1067. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00176-7
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00...
).

Obtaining customer information allows to know their needs and identify opportunities to develop new products or services. Therefore, customer relationship is a source of innovation (Genis-Gruber & Öğüt, 2014Genis-Gruber, A., & Öğüt, H. (2014). Environmental factors affecting innovation strategies of companies: Customers and suppliers effect. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150(11), 718-725. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
; Kamasak, 2015Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
; Laforet, 2011Laforet, S. (2011). A framework of organisational innovation and outcomes in SMEs. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(4), 380-408. doi: 10.1108/13552551111139638
https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111113963...
). Similarly, knowledge of regulatory, social, and sustainable aspects allows organizations to think differently and develop new ideas, achieving superior innovative performance (Nidumolu et al., 2009Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C. K., & Rangaswami, M. R. (2009). Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard Business Review. Recuperado de https://hbr.org.
https://hbr.org...
).

The behavior of the variable "information and knowledge" was consonant with Farace and Mazzota (2015)Farace, S., & Mazzotta, F. (2015). The effect of human capital and networks on knowledge and innovation in SMEs. Journal of Innovation Economics, (16), 39-71. doi: 10.3917/jie.016.0039
https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.016.0039...
, Kamasak (2015)Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
, and Jong and Vermeulen (2006)Jong, J., & Vermeulen, P. (2006). Determinants of product innovation in small firms: A comparison across industries. International Small Business Journal, 24(6), 587-609. doi: 10.1177/0266242606069268
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242606069268...
. Information retrieval and sharing can be used to improve or develop new products or services, new marketing methods, to reduce the risks of the innovation process and the transaction costs (Williamson, 1985Williamson, O. (1985). The economic institutions of capitalism. New York, NY: Free Press.).

However, the knowledge and experience acquired by the employees did not have a significant impact on the innovation capability. Stiffness in task definition and execution and the capacities that reinforce operational skills can slow down the development of innovation. The results suggest that employees make a limited contribution to the innovation processes, given the restriction of their activities to common tasks (Elj & Abbassi, 2014Elj, M. El, & Abassi, B. (2014). The determinants of innovation: An empirical analysis in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 35(4), 560-578. doi: 10.1080/02255189.2014.934787
https://doi.org/10.1080/02255189.2014.93...
).

The innovation capability of the firms analyzed seems not to be affected by the results obtained by the companies. It was also observed that many of the MSEs analyzed do not have financial control, so this is not related to innovation. The Schumpeterian hypothesis that size positively influences the innovation capability of firms has also not been confirmed in the regression, thus disengaging this capacity from the possession of these resources. Contrary to what is proposed in the literature, the "age" variable did not influence the innovation of MSEs, but it is consistent with the works of Genis-Gruber and Öğüt (2014)Genis-Gruber, A., & Öğüt, H. (2014). Environmental factors affecting innovation strategies of companies: Customers and suppliers effect. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150(11), 718-725. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
and Kamasak (2015)Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
.

These results demonstrate the relevance of obtaining these resources and capacities for the competitiveness of the MSEs. However, as expected, only part of the innovation capability is explained by them, revealing the importance of aspects external to the organization to innovate. After all, more than accumulated experiences and resources acquired (Galende & Fuente, 2003Galende, J., & Fuente, J. M. La. (2003). Internal factors determining a firm's innovative behaviour. Research Policy, 32(5), 715-736. doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00082-3
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00...
; Ganau & Maria, 2014Ganau, R., & Maria, E. (2014). Determinants of technological innovation in SME: Firm-level factors, agglomeration economies and the role of KIBS providers. 54º Congress of the European Regional Science Association, St. Petersburg, Russia.), innovation capability is mainly the result of strategic decisions (Hadhri, Arvanitis, & M'henni, 2016Hadhri, W., Arvanitis, R., & M'henni, H. (2016). Determinants of innovation activities in small and open economies: The Lebanese business sector. Journal of Innovation Economics, (21), 77-107. doi: 10.3917/jie.021.0077
https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.021.0077...
).

Data envelopment analysis results

For DEA, we considered the significant variables in the regression, since the wrong specification of the model may affect the quality of the results (Klimberg et al., 2009Klimberg, R. K., Lawrence, K. D., Yermish, I., La, T., & Mrazik, D. (2009). Using regression and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to forecast bank performance over time. In K. D. Lawrence, & G. Kleinman (Eds.), Financial modeling applications and data envelopment applications (pp. 133-142). Bingley, UK: Emerald.). The analysis of the decision-making units showed that the sample had an average efficiency of 0.86, in which 174 companies were considered efficient and 141 companies were not efficient regarding innovation capability.

Table 6 shows the contribution of outputs to efficiency. In general, it is observed that the "offerings," "platform," "processes," and "innovative environment" dimensions have a greater contribution to the efficiency of the innovation capability.

Table 6
Contribution of outputs

Product innovations, addressed in the "supply" and "platform" dimensions, allow MSEs to explore new market niches and overcome their shortcomings, as pointed out by Nooteboom (1994)Nooteboom, B. (1994). Innovation and diffusion in small firms: Theory and evidence. Small Business Economics, 6(5), 327-347. doi: 10.1007/BF01065137
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065137...
. On the other hand, innovations in processes and environment are associated with changes in the productive and managerial processes, in obtaining new sources of knowledge that can generate reductions in information asymmetry and transaction costs (Willianson, 1985Williamson, O. (1985). The economic institutions of capitalism. New York, NY: Free Press.).

While the results obtained by DSI demonstrate the innovations prioritized by MSEs, the results obtained by DEA demonstrate the innovations that contribute to the efficiency of this capability.

By comparing GIS and DEA, it is possible to observe that innovations valued by firms are not necessarily the ones that contribute most to their efficiency. Innovations in processes and innovative environment, related to supplementary resources were not relevant in any of the segments studied. However, DEA has demonstrated that they are among the innovations that most contribute to the efficiency of the firm's capacity, suggesting a mismatch in the innovation strategies practiced by MSEs.

Table 7 shows the contribution of the inputs, in which it is possible to observe the importance of leadership, customers, society, and information and knowledge for the efficiency of the innovation capability, as found in the regression.

Table 7
Contribution of inputs

While "information and knowledge" showed a higher coefficient in the regression, it showed the lowest contribution in the DEA. These differences reflect the analysis method used by the models, since DEA generates a different set of weights for each company, whose estimates are less affected by the correlations of the variables (Klimberg et al., 209Klimberg, R. K., Lawrence, K. D., Yermish, I., La, T., & Mrazik, D. (2009). Using regression and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to forecast bank performance over time. In K. D. Lawrence, & G. Kleinman (Eds.), Financial modeling applications and data envelopment applications (pp. 133-142). Bingley, UK: Emerald.).

Therefore, using DEA in the regression may result in better prediction estimates (Klimberg et al., 2009Klimberg, R. K., Lawrence, K. D., Yermish, I., La, T., & Mrazik, D. (2009). Using regression and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to forecast bank performance over time. In K. D. Lawrence, & G. Kleinman (Eds.), Financial modeling applications and data envelopment applications (pp. 133-142). Bingley, UK: Emerald.). Tables 8 and 9 show the results of the regressions for efficient and inefficient firms.

Table 8
Multiple regression for efficient firms
Table 9
Multiple regression for inefficient firms

The addition of efficiency in the regression increased the explanatory power of the model (R2 = 49.7 for the efficient firms and R2 = 40.9 for the inefficient firms) when compared to the regression presented in Table 5. The significance of the sectoral dummy indicates that the innovation capability in the industry is lower than in the service sector.

While the regression of efficient firms showed results close to the regression without DEA, inefficient firms showed some distinctions. It is observed that the innovation capability of inefficient companies is determined by their compliance with the norms and regulations of the sector and the information obtained by knowledge networks.

However, "leadership" and "customers" were not significant, indicating that inefficient firms may have difficulty in transforming customer information into innovation and in using the leaders' experiences and knowledge in this process.

Efficient development of innovation was the only significant variable, which reinforces the importance of these resources for organizational competitiveness. The figure of the entrepreneur that is close to the customer is related to the discovery of new opportunities, identification of improvements, and coordination of resources (Teece, 2007Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350. doi: 10.1002/smj.640
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640...
), which are central resources for the development of innovation and profit-making.

Exhibit 4 summarizes the results obtained for the hypotheses of the study.

Exhibit 4
Results of the research hypotheses

CONCLUSIONS

This study aimed at analyzing the influence of management factors on the innovation capability of MSEs, and measuring their impact. To this end, the present study integrated the perspectives of the RBV (Bayarçelik et al., 2014Bayarçelik, E. B., Taşel, F., & Apak, S. (2014). A research on determining innovation factors for SMEs. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.032
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
; Genis-Gruber & Öğüt, 2014Genis-Gruber, A., & Öğüt, H. (2014). Environmental factors affecting innovation strategies of companies: Customers and suppliers effect. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150(11), 718-725. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09...
; Kamasak, 2015Kamasak, R. (2015). Determinants of innovation performance: A resource-based study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1330-1337. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.311
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06...
; Wernerfelt, 1984Wernerfelt, B. (1984). A resource-based view of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 5(2), 171-180. doi: 10.1002/smj.4250050207
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250050207...
) and dynamic capability (Alves et al. 2017Alves, A., Barbieux, D., Reichert, F., Tello-Gamarra, J., & Zawislak, P. (2017). Innovation and dynamic capabilities of the firm: Defining an assessment model. RAE-Revista de Administração de Empresas, 57(3), 232-244. doi: 10.1590/s0034-759020170304
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-7590201703...
; Teece et al., 1997Teece, D. J., Pisano G., & Shuen A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509-533. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(...
; Zawislak et al., 2012Zawislak, P., Alves, C. A., Tello-Gamarra, J., Barbieux, D., & Reichert, F. (2012). Innovation capability: From technology development to transaction capability. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(2), pp.14-27. doi: 10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-2724201200...
) approaches to discuss innovation capability.

Although Teece et al. (1997)Teece, D. J., Pisano G., & Shuen A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509-533. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(...
suggest that the formulation of excess strategies may lead to disinvestment in dynamic capabilities, the present article shows that the formulation of efficient strategies of innovation can occur through the investments in dynamic capabilities and the central resources of management.

Thus, the skills needed to develop the innovation capacities addressed by Zawislak et al. (2012)Zawislak, P., Alves, C. A., Tello-Gamarra, J., Barbieux, D., & Reichert, F. (2012). Innovation capability: From technology development to transaction capability. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(2), pp.14-27. doi: 10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-2724201200...
have been "translated" into a series of resources that can be manipulated by the firm. These resources allow the identification and measurement of abstract capabilities, enabling firms to obtain the necessary resources for competitiveness in terms of innovation.

Although the study adopted a limited perspective of the model of Zawislak et al. (2012)Zawislak, P., Alves, C. A., Tello-Gamarra, J., Barbieux, D., & Reichert, F. (2012). Innovation capability: From technology development to transaction capability. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 7(2), pp.14-27. doi: 10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-2724201200...
because it focuses only on resources related to managerial and commercial capabilities, the results emphasize its importance for obtaining competitive advantage in MSEs. This perspective is important as many studies focus on large organizations, where technological resources are prioritized. As MSEs face difficulties in accessing and operating technologies, the article demonstrates that managerial and commercial capabilities become decisive for innovating.

Thus, the study suggests that the innovation capability resulting from dynamic capabilities lies not only in the figure of the entrepreneur and the strategic management exercised, as proposed by Teece (2007)Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350. doi: 10.1002/smj.640
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640...
, but it is also associated with information and knowledge obtained by knowledge networks, and customer relationship and business-society relationship.

Although innovation is associated with entrepreneurial activity (Schumpeter, 1988Schumpeter, J. A. (1988). A teoria do desenvolvimento econômico. São Paulo, SP: Nova Cultural.), the figure of the leader may be insufficient to generate competitive advantage, thus the acquisition of other resources is necessary. Likewise, the results also suggest the existence of barriers that do not allow MSEs to use financial resources and the skills of employees to generate innovation, which may be responsible for the low development of supplementary innovations associated with sustainable growth (Guan & Ma, 2003Guan, J., & Ma, N. (2003). Innovative capability and export performance of Chinese firms. Technovation, 23(9), 737-747. doi: 10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00013-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4972(02)00...
). However, we observed that the nature of the data prevented a dynamic analysis of established relationships. The data reveal the manager's perception of the company, not necessarily the organizational reality.

Finally, we emphasize that the internal perspective is responsible for only a part of the innovation capability. Further studies proposing models analyzing other capacities, as well as environmental variables, would obtain greater explanatory power. Moreover, the use of other econometric methods, such as data panel or quantum regression, would result in more robust results.

  • Translated version

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Edited by

Evaluated through a double-blind review process. Guest Scientific Editor: Luciano Barin Cruz

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jul-Aug 2018

History

  • Received
    08 Apr 2017
  • Accepted
    18 Jan 2018
Fundação Getulio Vargas, Escola de Administração de Empresas de S.Paulo Avenida Nove de Julho, 2.029, Bela Vista, CEP: 01313-902, Telefone: +55 (11) 3799-7718 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
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