International Journal of Innovation Science

Moura, Dulcineia Catarina; Madeira, Maria José; Duarte, Filipe A.P.; Carvalho, João; Kahilana, Orlando

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-05-2017-0051

The purpose of this paper is to better understand whether firm cooperation and absorptive capacity foster success in seeking public financial support for innovation activities and, by doing so, how they contribute to innovation output.Design/methodology/approachThe authors therefore extend the existing literature focusing on the effects of cooperation and absorptive capacity on specific public financial support for innovation activities in Portuguese firms from local or regional government, central administration and the European Union by using available data from the Community Innovation Survey CIS 2010 and the application of logistic regression models. The empirical analysis enabled a better understanding of the positive relationship of the variables that determine the form of public financial support in the integration of incentives within firms to stimulate innovation.FindingsTherefore, as the level of absorptive capacity in Portuguese firms increases, so does the demand for benefits from public financial support to stimulate innovation from the European Union also increases. The same analysis, now considering the determinant cooperation, notes the positive effects of institutional sources of information and cooperation, in the propensity for seeking public financial incentives from the Central Administration and the European Union. As for internal information and cooperation sources, they are positively related to the integration of incentive measures from the local or Regional Administration and Central Administration.Originality/valueThe paper presents results that allow us to propose some suggestions that both the firms and those responsible for the implementation of public policies can undertake to increment innovation performance.

Ratten, Vanessa

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/IJIS-12-2017-0135

PurposeNature-based sports such as surfing play an important role in the social harmony of regions, as they provide a way to protect the environment while incorporating a business element. The purpose of this paper is to examine how World Surfing Reserves are a form of social innovation in sport, as they are a program of Save the Waves, which aims to protect the cultural and environmental areas associated with surfing.Design/methodology/approachThe aim of this paper is to focus on a case study of the Santa Cruz, California World Surfing Reserve created in 2012 to analyze the associated social innovation programs.FindingsIncreasingly nature-based and lifestyle sports that incorporate the natural environment have been an innovative way to encourage social issues to progress. This includes programs developed to address water quality at beaches and the development of associated programs around social innovation in terms of surfing as a way to connect people to the environment.Research limitations/implicationsSuggestions for policy development of social innovation programs in sport will be discussed in addition to directions for future research.Originality/valueInstitutional theory will be used as the theoretical framework to understand the effects of the natural environment and surfing culture on social innovation.

Kimwolo, Andrew; Cheruiyot, Thomas

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-05-2017-0038

This paper aims to determine the effect of intrinsically motivating idiosyncratic deals (I-deals) on innovative work behaviour (IWB) among tied life insurance agents in Kenya.Design/methodology/approachStandard multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses from data collected from a field study from 498 employees and 48 managers.FindingsThe study findings showed a positive relationship between both flexibility I-deals and IWB (ß = 0.461, p < 0.00) and between task and responsibilities I-deals and IWB (ß = 0.171, p < 0.01).Research/limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional collection of data weakens the author’s claim of causality between the variables in focus. The study extends literature on the effects of flexibility as well as tasks and responsibilities I-deals on IWB.Practical implicationsOrganizations must grant their employees with intrinsically motivating I-deals in order for display of IWB.Social implicationsThese I-deals provided intrinsic motivation of the employees in displaying IWB in the organizations. The exchange relationship with the employers got enhanced through their granting motivating employees to look for new ways of doing their work.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate a linear relationship between intrinsically motivating I-deals and IWB.

Maldonado-Guzmán, Gonzalo; Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo; Pinzón-Castro, Sandra Yesenia; Kumar, Vikas

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-12-2017-0139

In an environment where business uncertainty is the norm, developing innovation capability in an organisation is increasingly important. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects that innovation capabilities have on the business performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the context of a regional developing and emerging economy of Mexico, in this case, Aguascalientes.Design/methodology/approachThe approach of this study is quantitative. Four research hypotheses were formulated and tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). Data were collected through a questionnaire survey responded by 308 SMEs located in the Aguascalientes state of Mexico.FindingsThe results obtained show that innovation in products, processes, marketing and management has a positive and significant effect on the business return of Mexican SMEs.Originality/valueThe paper complements the limited body of knowledge currently existent in the SMEs innovation literature, particularly when compared to that of large organisations. Similar works in other settings have provided mixed results in regards to the effects that innovation capabilities have on the business performance of SMEs. Thus, this paper offers a refined understanding and validation of the relationship between innovation capabilities and business performance, especially within the context of SMEs, and insights into some of the innovation aspects that managers may consider when formulating the strategies of their organisations. Finally, it enables such relationship to be understood within a particular situation, contributing in this manner to expand the body of knowledge in the innovation field.

Goularte, Alexandre da C.; Zilber, Silvia Novaes

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-11-2017-0119

This study aims to evaluate the impact of country culture, represented by Hofstede cultural dimensions, in the adoption of Brazilian mobile banking services.Design/methodology/approachBased on the replication of a theoretical model previously tested in Mozambique (Africa) that combines the extended version of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with the five Hofstede cultural dimensions, this study tested that model in another emerging country, Brazil, using partial least squares (PLS) as a modeling method.FindingsReplication showed that the cultural dimensions do not present strong significance in the moderation of the use of mobile banking. In fact, out of the five dimensions tested, three were not significant and two showed weak significance (p < 0.10): collectivism and short-term orientation. Those results, contrasting with that one presented by Baptista and Oliveira (2015), made sense under Ajzen’s theory (1991) – the TPB, leading to the conclusion that the moderation of cultural dimensions on behavior use is not applicable.Originality/valueThe authors concluded that the tested model may not be adherent, finding a theoretical gap to be explored in future studies: the moderation of the behavioral intention by cultural variables proposed by Hofstede. That finding supported the proposition of a new theoretical model, which considers the moderation of cultural dimensions in another place: behavioral intention to use mobile banking instead of the behavior use, as proposed by Baptista and Oliveira (2015). So, based on the research results and based on some authors cited in this study (Choi et al., 2014; Chou, 2013; Srite and Karahanna, 2006), it is proposed to insert Hofstede cultural variables as moderators of independent variables on the behavioral intention.

Chaubey, Akriti; Sahoo, Chandan Kumar

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-02-2018-0022

This study aims to focus on examining the impact of transformational leadership on employee creativity to enhance organizational innovation through mediating effect of intrinsic motivation and the moderating effect of organizational culture on the relationship between employee creativity and organizational innovation in Indian automobile industries.Design/methodology/approachResponses were collected from engineers, managers and R&D professionals from car manufacturing and R&D units from southern India through a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. The validity of the constructs and the theoretical model were confirmed by applying structural equation modeling approach using IBM SPSS Amos version 20.FindingsEmpirical findings proved that transformational leadership has a positive effect on employee creativity, as mediated by intrinsic motivation. Studies also revealed that employees tend to exhibit higher creative potential when they are exposed to a higher degree of distinct shared assumptions, values and beliefs, which governs their behavior in an organization.Research limitations/implicationsAs research was carried out in Indian automobile manufacturing and R&D units, it cannot be generalized across the broader range of sectors and international environment.Originality/valueThis research is unique in its attempt to empirically test the moderating effect of organizational culture in enhancing organizational innovation in Indian automobile industry.

Kahn, Kenneth B.

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-02-2018-0024

The paper aims to address the issue of generalizability by examining process formality across the global regions of North America, Europe and Asia. A common prescription in the new product development (NPD) discipline is to employ a formal process. Because generalizability of this prescription has not been fully investigated across global regions, the present manuscript addresses the issue of generalizability by examining process formality across the global regions of North America, Europe and Asia.Design/methodology/approachRecently made available to researchers, data of the Product Development and Management Association’s 2012 Comparative Performance Assessment Study (CPAS) were analyzed. The uniqueness of the 2012 CPAS data set is its global composition with sizable samples from North America, Europe and Asia. Chi-square tests and multivariate analysis of variance were applied.FindingsResults support use of a formal process, as companies with a formal NPD process perceived higher performance than companies with no standard process. Process formality appears to differ across regions and be influenced by innovation strategy. European firms tended to not use a formal process when pursuing radical innovation, and these firms perceived higher performance. North American firms tended to not use a formal process when pursing incremental innovation, but these firms perceived lower performance.Practical implicationsHaving some NPD process is generally better than not having any process at all. Process differences across regions appear to exist when pursuing radical innovation or incremental innovation.Originality/valueThis is one of few studies comparing global regions to examine generalizability of a best practice prescription, namely, the extent to which a formal process should be implemented.

Lysek, Michal

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-05-2018-0051

Axis, HMS and Sectra are three Swedish companies whose managers argue that you should never be radical on two fronts: creating new products for new markets at the same time. This paper aims to show however that while Axis’ managers claim not to be radical on two fronts, they still perform horizontal diversification, but they do so by disguising it as product development. Just like certain animals disguise themselves for protection, Axis’ managers disguise diversification as a defense mechanism, to protect themselves. In so doing, they have learned to manage the dynamics of innovation, by shifting between periods of focus and diversification.Design/methodology/approachThis study was based on an inductive research approach influenced by grounded theory. In total, 32 interviews were performed with top and middle-line managers from three Swedish companies: Axis, Sectra and HMS. A total of 91 A4 transcript pages, 66 A4 e-mail pages, 52 annual reports (from 1999 to 2017) and 256 company presentations and newspaper articles (from 1988 to 2015) were collected and analyzed. Open and selective coding yielded 105 sub-categories, which were grouped into four main categories and presented as detailed descriptions. The results were based on the interpretation of those descriptions and related to disguise as a defense mechanism in psychology.FindingsInnovation is a difficult process often met with hostility. Axis’ managers however have found a way to go beyond their existing business domain, while still protecting themselves from internal and external opposing forces that would go against such a risky strategy. To do so, they first expand their existing business domain. Then they perform horizontal diversification and disguise it as product development, as a defense mechanism to protect their desire to create innovation from managers who would oppose their risky strategy. In so doing, they convince other stakeholders that innovation through diversification is the best strategy for their company.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was only performed at three Swedish technological companies. For future research, other Swedish companies could be included, and not only technological companies either, to explore whether diversification is considered a strategy that needs to be disguised in other businesses as well, and how managers from those businesses deal with internal and external forces.Practical implicationsManagers from Axis, Sectra and HMS are fully aware that innovation as well as diversification is difficult. Ideas that seem interesting and full of potential for some people may seem too risky and dangerous for others. To protect diversification as a strategy for innovation, Axis’ managers have found a way to disguise diversification, and make it seem less dangerous. In so doing, they are able to diversify and create innovation. A strategy for disguising diversification therefore has practical managerial implications of how managers can deal with internal and external forces that would go against such a strategy.Originality/valueThis study connects defense mechanisms in psychology with innovations strategy and innovation management and solves a practical dilemma that managers often struggle with: how to create innovation despite barriers that exists and oppose such a strategy. Managers will most likely always face different barriers to innovation, and perhaps solving them is not possible. This study shows how Axis’ managers have found a way to go around this problem, when solving it is not possible. This strategy thus shows originality and value for both theory and practice related to innovations strategy and innovation management.

Farooq, Rayees

2019 International Journal of Innovation Science

doi: 10.1108/ijis-07-2018-0068

Knowledge management is a function of learning orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational memory and knowledge reuse. This paper aims to endeavor to explore a link between knowledge management and value creation which seem to be fragmented in the literature due to various conceptualizations and meanings. The study hypothesized a moderating role of social capital on the relationship between knowledge management and value creation.Design/methodology/approachThe study was approached from the theoretical perspective. Study thoroughly reviews and analyzes the literature by developing a link between knowledge management and value creation. The studies were explored from selected databases including “Google scholar”, “Emerald” and “ProQuest” using the keyword search, namely, “Knowledge Sharing”, “Learning Orientation”, “Organizational Memory”, “Knowledge Re-use”, “Knowledge Management”, “Knowledge-based View”, “Competitive Advantage”, “Value Creation” and “Social Capital” to reduce the interpretation bias.FindingsKnowledge management is an important predictor of value creation which can be strengthened by developing strong interpersonal relationships with all stakeholders. Organizations can create competitive advantage by managing social capital through knowledge management processes including learning orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational memory and knowledge reuse.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on a theoretical model and an apparent limitation is the non-existence here of contributions and discussions that have been based on empirical data. Future study may use other moderating and mediating variables such as industry type, market orientation, human capital and organizational climate to know whether knowledge management directly affects the value creation or indirectly through these variables. The hypotheses emerged from the model can be operationalized by generating the items from the review of the literature.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the knowledge management literature by developing a theoretical model of knowledge management based on underlying dimensions of learning orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational memory and knowledge re-use.