WHAT'S SMALL SIZE GOT TO DO WITH IT? PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL ASSETS IN SMEs

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 349-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
HEIDI OLANDER ◽  
PIA HURMELINNA-LAUKKANEN ◽  
JUKKA MÄHÖNEN
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Knowledge Protection ◽  
Intellectual Assets ◽  
Protection Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Case

The knowledge protection/sharing dilemma related to innovation activities is becoming known to all firms, even though it is generally more notable for SMEs: the small size of the firms inherently creates a need for inter-organizational collaboration, but it also makes dealing with the related contradictories more challenging. One factor behind this is that the needed tools — such as the protection mechanisms of intellectual assets — may be more limited. In line with this notion, we examine the protection available for and used by small firms in their innovation activities. We approach the issue by conducting a review on the relevant literature, and use a qualitative multiple case study conducted in eight small companies to empirically study the issue. Departing from prior research, we consider protection of innovations by distinguishing between the intangibles needed in innovation activities and the actual innovation outputs, and combine these considerations to the knowledge protection/sharing dilemma.

scholarly journals PRODUCT INNOVATION IN SMALL COMPANIES: MANAGING RESOURCE SCARCITY THROUGH FINANCIAL BOOTSTRAPPING

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 1750020 ◽  
Author(s):  
LARS LÖFQVIST
Keyword(s):  
Product Innovation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Functional Categories ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Main Factor

Researchers have proposed that scarce resources are the main factor hindering product innovation in small companies. However, despite scarce resources, small companies do innovate, so the research question is: How do small companies manage resource scarcity in product innovation? To answer the research question a multiple case study of three small established companies and their product innovation was used, including interviews and observations over a period of five months. The small companies were found to use many different bootstrapping methods in combination within their product innovation. The methods can be classified into three different functional categories: bootstrapping methods for increasing resources, for using existing resources more efficiently, and those for securing a fast payback on resources put into product innovation. Due to their resource scarcity, the studied companies also favoured an innovation strategy only involving new products done with known technology and targeting existing markets. This strategy seems to avoid unsuccessful innovation but at the same time exclude technologically radical innovation.

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT RESPONSES TO REGULATION—SUP-DIRECTIVE AND REPLACING PLASTIC

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIA HURMELINNA-LAUKKANEN ◽  
EELIS PAUKKU ◽  
SANNA TASKILA
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Management ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Innovation Strategies ◽  
Survival Mode ◽  
Development Trajectories ◽  
And Diffusion

Changes in regulation trigger changes in the innovation environments. They may block specific development trajectories, but they may simultaneously inspire and stimulate completely new openings. In this study, we look into regulation that aims to address environmental problems and facilitate creation and diffusion of sustainable technologies and processes as we examine the responses of innovators to the regulation on plastic use and production—specifically, the so-called SUP-directive. A multiple-case study comprising six companies suggests that companies manage (with) the regulation-induced innovation and needs for change by adopting three distinctive strategies: (1) proactive change orientation, (2) reactive opportunity capturing, or (3) reactive survival mode. Acknowledging that sustainability-oriented regulation may push companies with environmentally friendly innovation activities and solutions towards reactive survival mode highlights the need for managerial agility in adjusting the solutions and the ability to adopt parallel innovation strategies. Observing the strategies adopted by innovators also is informative when evaluating whether the regulation meets its profound goals and intended effects.

Interpretative narrative process research approach to corporate renaming

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari Juntunen
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Process Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Narrative Process ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Corporate Rebranding

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe company renaming as a process among small firms, including the events and actors in and the reasons for company renaming. Design/methodology/approach – The study presents an interpretative narrative process research approach. The empirical part is conducted as an instrumental multiple case study of six cases. Findings – Company renaming is a long-lasting, complex, iterative and management-centric process among small firms. The process consists of six main events that are conducted more or less simultaneously but which need to be further divided into sub-events in order to reveal their order. The reasons for renaming are that the current company name is difficult to use or it is less known than the name of the company's well-known product among stakeholders. Research limitations/implications – The existing research on branding from the viewpoint of organisational change has been scarce. The study suggests that also other reasons than change in the organisation or in its environment may cause corporate rebranding. The empirical data from a specific contest, the B2B software industry, may limit the statistical generalizability of the results. Practical implications – For small business managers, the study suggests actively involving stakeholders to the process. The new name can be developed cheaply, but the process can be long. For ensuring a shorter process, costs need to be accepted. Originality/value – The use of interpretative narrative process research approach and an instrumental multiple case study provide methodological contributions to the field of corporate rebranding.

DO SMEs BENEFIT FROM HRM-RELATED KNOWLEDGE PROTECTION IN INNOVATION MANAGEMENT?

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (03) ◽  
pp. 593-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
HEIDI OLANDER ◽  
PIA HURMELINNA-LAUKKANEN ◽  
PIA HEILMANN
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Knowledge Protection ◽  
Protection Mechanisms ◽  
And Training ◽  
Innovation Generation ◽  
Shed Light

In terms of innovation generation and management, creative employees are the most valuable resources in small firms. Thus, knowledge leaking and leaving are the major staff-related risks. Protecting HRM-related knowledge is one effective way of dealing with these challenges, although this is not always acknowledged by academics or by managers. It is particularly valuable in safeguarding the existing background knowledge of the firm, and thus the prerequisites for future innovation. The aim in this study is to shed light on what is a somewhat neglected protection and appropriability mechanism, and thus to enhance understanding of the role of HRM in protecting core company knowledge—especially in SMEs. These issues are explored in a review of the latest literature and a case study of 15 SMEs representing three industries. The theoretical contribution of the study is to introduce and empirically test a typology of five HRM-related knowledge-protection mechanisms: recruitment, education and training on matters of confidentiality, retaining employees, capturing and diffusing knowledge in-house, and monitoring.

scholarly journals The Importance of Innovation for Small-Scale Metallurgical Industries: Multiple Case Study on Innovation Management

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Marcos Oliveira Morais ◽  
Antonio Sérgio Brejão ◽  
Marcelo Bernardino Araújo ◽  
Pedro Luiz de Oliveira Costa Neto
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Management ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Tax Burden ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Aluminum Casting ◽  
Secondary Sector ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Plastic Injection

This research aims to identify how specialists of small metallurgical companies analyze the question regarding the search for innovation. Then, we conducted a survey in five companies from the sectors of aluminum casting under pressure, plastic injection, and lighting. It is also possible to see that for small companies, partnership issues become relevant in the context of innovation together with the interaction between the company and employees. This research indicates that innovate became the way to remain competitive, since the high Brazilian tax burden prejudice the gains of the companies, enabling both technological and organizational advances. It is a multiple case study paper in the secondary sector.

scholarly journals Bases, processes, results and contexts of interorganizational learning in cooperation networks: A multiple case study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Borelli ◽  
Fabiano Larentis ◽  
Douglas Wegner
Keyword(s):  
Interorganizational Relationships ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Boundary Spanners ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Interorganizational Learning ◽  
Multiple Case

Objective: To analyze the constitution of bases, processes, outcomes and contexts of interorganizational learning in cooperation networks. Method: Multiple case study through interviews and document analysis was performed in three cooperation networks, with a predominance of micro and small companies in the industry, commerce and services segments. Main results: Interorganizational learning can be identified on an interorganizational basis, by strengthening the network companies’ competitiveness, providing opportunities for joint participation in activities. Learning processes – formal and informal – have occurred through the exchange of experiences and knowledge sharing. As outcomes, aspects learned in the network have been used internally by companies, which involves their paths and expectations. Theoretical / methodological contributions: We have highlighted the constitution of interorganizational learning, that is, bases, processes and outcomes, as well as their interactions with the context. Relevance / originality: The study contributes to the knowledge in interorganizational learning, especially in its processes, by taking in consideration the importance of multilevel analysis. It expands the scarce number of studies that investigate learning in cooperation networks. Social / managerial contributions: The importance of learning and knowledge generated from interorganizational relationships, with an emphasis on the role of the boundary spanners and on contextual aspects in order to promote qualification of internal processes and to expand the comprehension of costs and risks involved.

Die Problematik der Implementierung von Kinästhetik in Einrichtungen der stationären Langzeitpflege – Eine Multiple Case-Study

Pflege ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Carola Maurer ◽  
Heidrun Gattinger ◽  
Hanna Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Multiple Case

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Einrichtungen der stationären Langzeitpflege investieren seit Jahren Ressourcen in die Entwicklung der Kinästhetikkompetenz der Pflegenden. Aus aktuellen Studien geht hervor, dass die Implementierung, bzw. die nachhaltige Förderung der Kinästhetikkompetenz problematisch ist, vertiefte Erkenntnisse zu den Ursachen fehlen jedoch. Fragestellung: Welche Hemmnisse verhindern eine nachhaltige Implementierung von Kinästhetik in Einrichtungen der stationären Langzeitpflege? Methode: Es wurde eine Multiple Case-Study in drei Einrichtungen der deutschsprachigen Schweiz durchgeführt. Aus leitfadengestützten Interviews und (fallbezogener) Literatur zum externen Kontext wurden in den Within-Case-Analysen die Daten induktiv verdichtet und diese Ergebnisse in der Cross-Case-Synthese miteinander verglichen und abstrahierend zusammengeführt. Ergebnisse: Die Synthese zeigt, dass die Implementierung von Kinästhetik innerhalb der Einrichtung auf drei verschiedenen Ebenen – der Leitungs-, Pflegeteam- und Pflegeperson-Ebene – als auch durch externe Faktoren negativ beeinflusst werden kann. Schlussfolgerungen: In der Pflegepraxis und -wissenschaft sowie im Gesundheitswesen benötigt es ein grundlegendes Verständnis von Kinästhetik und wie dieses im Kontext des professionellen Pflegehandelns einzuordnen ist. Insbesondere Leitungs- und implementierungsverantwortliche Personen müssen mögliche Hemmnisse kennen, um entsprechende Strategien entwickeln zu können.

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