Skip to main content

Innovation Capability and Its Measurement in Finnish SMEs

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Practice-Based Innovation: Insights, Applications and Policy Implications

Abstract

The importance of the development of an organisation’s innovation capability for its success is highlighted in current literature. This study provides a comprehensive description of the status quo of Finnish SMEs regarding the different dimensions of innovation capability, expertise, work wellbeing, and the measurement of issues related to innovation capability. The study also clarifies whether the results of the studied issues differ depending on the size of the organisation, the industry and the organisational position. The most important insight of the study is that the perceptions of executives and employees differ significantly with regard to all the studied aspects. The study suggests that both academics and practitioners should focus on the development of new methods and practices for enhancing innovation capability, and especially the measurement of issues related to it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alegre, J., & Chiva, R. (2008). Assessing the impact of organizational learning capability on product innovation performance: An empirical test. Technovation, 28(6), 315–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M. (1997). Motivating creativity in organizations: On doing what you love and loving what you do. California Management Review, 40(1), 39–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg Jensen, M., Johnson, B., Lorenz, E., & Lundvall, B. (2007). Forms of knowledge and modes of innovation. Research Policy, 36(5), 680–693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bettencourt, L. A. (2004). Change-oriented organizational citizenship behaviors: The direct and moderating influence of goal orientation. Journal of Retailing, 80(3), 165–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bontis, N. (2001). Assessing knowledge assets: A review of the models used to measure intellectual capital. International Journal of Management Reviews, 3(1), 41–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burt, R. S. (2004). Structural holes and good ideas. American Journal of Sociology, 110(2), 349–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Çakar, N. D., & ErtĂĽrk, A. (2010). Comparing innovation capability of small and medium-sized enterprises: Examining the effects of organizational culture and empowerment. Journal of Small Business Management, 48(3), 325–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calantone, R. J., Cavusgil, S. T., & Zhao, Y. (2002). Learning orientation, firm innovation capability, and firm performance. Industrial Marketing Management, 31(6), 515–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capaldo, G., Iandoli, L., Raffa, M., & Zollo, G. (2003). The evaluation of innovation capabilities in small software firms: A methodological approach. Small Business Economics, 21(4), 343–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carayannis, E. G., & Provance, M. (2008). Measuring firm innovativeness: Towards a composite innovation index built on firm innovative posture, propensity and performance attributes. International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 1(1), 90–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavusgil, S. T., Calantone, R. J., & Zhao, Y. (2003). Tacit knowledge transfer and firm innovation capability. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 18(1), 6–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990). Absorptive capacity: A new perspective on learning and innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35(1), 128–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobni, C. B. (2008). Measuring innovation culture in organizations: The development of a generalized innovation culture construct using exploratory factor analysis. European Journal of Innovation Management, 11(4), 539–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, D., & Bessant, J. (2005). Targeting innovation and implications for capability development. Technovation, 25(3), 171–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gopalakrishnan, S. (2000). Unraveling the links between dimensions of innovation and organizational performance. The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 11(1), 137–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granovetter, M. (2005). The impact of social structure on economic outcomes. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 19(1), 33–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harmaakorpi, V., & Melkas, H. (Eds.) (2008). Innovation policy between systems. Acta series no. 200. Helsinki: Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities & Lappeenranta University of Technology. (In Finnish.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kujansivu, P., Lönnqvist, A., Jääskeläinen, A., & Sillanpää, V. (2007). Intangible success factors of trading. Measure, develop and lead. Helsinki: Talentum. (In Finnish.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lampikoski, K., & Emden, J. B. (1999). Managing innovatively: Exploit creative resources. Porvoo: WSOY. (In Finnish.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, B., & Samson, D. (2001). Developing innovation capability in organisations: A dynamic capabilities approach. International Journal of Innovation Management, 5(3), 377–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, R.-J., Chen, R.-H., & Chiu, K. K.-S. (2010). Customer relationship management and innovation capability: An empirical study. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 110(1), 111–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marr, B. (2007). Measuring and managing intangible value drivers. Business Strategy Series, 8(3), 172–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nahapiet, J., & Ghoshal, S. (1998). Social capital, intellectual capital and the organizational advantage. Academy of Management Review, 23(2), 242–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Otala, L. (2003). Wellbeing to workplace – outcome to the action. Helsinki: WSOY. (In Finnish.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Paalanen, A., Kujansivu, P., & Parjanen, S. (2009). Measuring the effects of an innovation-focused intervention. Proceedings of the XX ISPIM Future of Innovation Conference, Vienna, Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panayides, P. (2006). Enhancing innovation capability through relationship management and implications for performance. European Journal of Innovation Management, 9(4), 466–483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prajogo, D. I., & Ahmed, P. K. (2006). Relationships between innovation stimulus, innovation capacity, and innovation performance. R&D Management, 36(5), 499–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romijn, H., & Albaladejo, M. (2002). Determinants of innovation capability in small electronics and software firms in southeast England. Research Policy, 31(7), 1053–1067.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sáenz, J., Aramburu, N., & Rivera, O. (2009). Knowledge sharing and innovation performance – A comparison between high-tech and low-tech companies. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 10(1), 22–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salojärvi, S. (2006). Expertise, work wellbeing and creativity – A positive spiral. In P. Vesterinen (Ed.), Work wellbeing and leadership (pp. 49–58). Helsinki: WSOYpro. (In Finnish.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shan, W., & Zhang, Q. (2009). Extension theory and its application in evaluation of independent innovation capability. Kybernetes, 38(3/4), 457–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skarzynski, P., & Gibson, R. (2008). Innovation to the core: A blueprint for transforming the way your company innovates. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Subramanian, A., & Nilakanta, S. (1996). Organizational Innovativeness: Exploring the Relationship Between Organizational Determinants of Innovation, Types of Innovations, and Measures of Organizational Performance. International Journal of Management Science, 24(6), 631–647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tidd, J., Bessant, J., & Pavitt, K. (2005). Managing innovation: Integrating technological, market and organizational change. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tura, T., Harmaakorpi, V., & Pekkola, S. (2008). Breaking inside the black box: Towards a dynamic evaluation framework of regional innovative capability. Science and Public Policy, 35(10), 733–744.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viitala, R. (2005). Lead expertise! Leading the expertise from theory to practice. Helsinki: Inforviestintä Oy. (In Finnish.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wan, D., Ong, C. H., & Lee, F. (2005). Determinants of firm innovation in Singapore. Technovation, 25(3), 261–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C. L., & Ahmed, P. K. (2003). Structure and structural dimensions for knowledge-based organizations. Measuring Business Excellence, 7(1), 51–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S.-B., & Choi, S. O. (2009). Employee empowerment and team performance. Autonomy, responsibility, information, and creativity. Team Performance Management, 15(5/6), 289–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, C. C., Marlow, P. B., & Lu, C.-S. (2009). Assessing resources, logistics service capabilities, innovation capabilities and the performance of container shipping services in Taiwan. International Journal of Production Economics, 122(1), 4–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yukl, G. A. (1998). Leadership in organizations (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Minna Saunila .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Saunila, M., Ukko, J., Rantanen, H. (2012). Innovation Capability and Its Measurement in Finnish SMEs. In: Melkas, H., Harmaakorpi, V. (eds) Practice-Based Innovation: Insights, Applications and Policy Implications. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21723-4_21

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics