Innovation Management: The Need of a Model for Manufacturing Micro - Enterprises

Abstract

Purpose: Innovation is an important element in enterprise productivity. This study aims to carry out a conceptual analysis on the role of the process of innovation management in the development of manufacturing microenterprises in general.

Methodology/Approach: We analyse the main models that exist today, their main components and the possibility of being adapted to the small size of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which contributes to achieve the development and adoption of an innovative culture under the current conditions of this productive sector in Ecuador.

Findings: We identified the complexity of applying innovation management models to any type of company because these models are not multifunctional and there are restrictions for their application.

Research Limitation/implication: The current models of innovation management are not adapted to the characteristics and size of the microenterprises, which becomes into difficulties to bring about fundamental changes in the areas of innovation, intuition or inspiration, and, it is necessary to take actions in this regard.

Originality/Value of paper: This document is based on the literature review of the process of innovation management. Through this analysis, the authors detected that the smaller companies have more difficulties to carry out innovations than the larger ones.