Abstract

MORENO ROJAS, SIDIA  and  GARCIA CARRILLO, ÁGUEDA. INNOVATION CAPACITY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: CASE OF PANAMA. Rev.fac.cienc.econ. [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.2, pp.109-122. ISSN 0121-6805.

The aim of this research was to generate an evaluation system of innovation capabilities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in order to know innovation capabilities in an organization to identify gaps and fundamental requirements for success. Literature converges in two dimensions to consider innovation: as a system and as a process; where contextual considerations are critical. In order to build the system approaches, models, tools and methodological innovation patterns were investigated. Process characteristics were analyzed for developing countries (DCs), innovation management functions were compared and relationships between functions and system variables were established. As result, five endogenous capabilities required to innovate were determined with their corresponding analysis categories as wells as, two new differentiation elements of innovation processes in PED: learning processes Outbreaks (FPA because of its acronym in Spanish) and incremental innovation outbreaks (FII because of its acronym in Spanish). Results have been applied in four cases of SMEs in Panama, concluding that capability assessment allows organizations to pace on different levels, compare and identify possible gaps and roadmaps to drive innovation processes.

Keywords : Assessment system; Innovation capabilities; Endogenous capabilities; SMEs; Learning process.

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