Abstract

MORELOS-GOMEZ, José; GOMEZ-YASPE, Ibrahim Salvador  and  AVILA-SUAREZ, Roger de Jesús De. Innovation capacities of small and medium enterprises of the metalworking sector in Cartagena, Colombia. Entramado [online]. 2021, vol.17, n.1, pp.12-29.  Epub May 05, 2021. ISSN 1900-3803.  https://doi.org/10.18041/1900-3803/entramado.1.7215.

This research identifies the innovation capabilities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the metalworking sector in Cartagena -Colombia. The methodology used was exploratory and descriptive. The population selected corresponded to the total of 25 SMEs in the metal-mechanical cluster formally registered with the Chamber of Commerce of Cartagena, which identified the gaps and potential to boost innovation capabilities. As a result, 85% of the SMEs promote innovative practices in all their functional areas in their operations, encouraging creativity and innovation in the design and differentiated development of goods and services. It is concluded that the cluster of metal-mechanical companies should focus efforts on consolidating innovative capabilities in the areas of research and development, technology watch, digital marketing and logistics management, which would contribute to improving the productivity and competitiveness of the sector.

JEL CLASSIFICATION O32, 111, D24

Keywords : Innovation; SMEs; metalworking sector; competitiveness; productivity.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )