Bricolage as capability for frugal innovation in emerging markets in times of crisis

Abstract

PurposeThis research aims to answer the following question: Could bricolage become a capability for companies in emerging markets to develop frugal innovations in times of crisis? Therefore, in this paper the main aim is to identify whether in times of crisis the development of frugal innovation in emerging markets depends on the bricolage capability.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses were statistically tested using the structural equation modeling technique, with data collected through the survey method applied to 215 companies in Brazil.FindingsThe results allowed support for the hypothesis that bricolage capability has a positive impact on the development of frugal innovation. Therefore, a mediating test was verified, allowing confirmation that to develop frugal innovation in emerging markets, bricolage becomes a required capability for companies in times of crisis.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this study lies in considering the effect of bricolage on frugal innovation only in the context of Brazil, while in developed countries this effect may be similar, as they also suffer from resource constraints caused by crises.Practical implicationsThis research provides insights to guide managers by highlighting bricolage as a key managerial capability for the development of frugal innovation. A set of managerial recommendations are provided based on bricolage skills.Originality/valueThe study has contributed to the literature on bricolage and frugal innovation by addressing bricolage as an antecedent of frugal innovation in emerging markets, especially when those markets are affected by resource scarcity.

To walk in beauty: Sustainable leadership, frugal innovation and environmental performance

“…The present study offered both theoretical and practical implications. The present study investigated the mediating role of frugal innovation, compared to the past studies (Lei et al, 2021;Santos et al, 2020), which investigated frugal innovation as an outcomes variable. Methodologically, this study also contributed to the literature as it investigated the role of frugal innovation as a formative construct, whereas previous studies (Dost et al, 2019;Iqbal et al, 2021b) treated the same as a reflective construct.…”

Frugal innovation enablers, critical success factors and barriers: A systematic review

“…However, in companies with experienced management, limited resources at the company level strongly influence the companies' willingness to participate in FI (Ploeg et al, 2020). In these conditions, it is necessary to improvise solutions using existing resources in a particular way to meet the challenges and opportunities in restricted environments (Santos et al, 2020). Some of the most important ways to use limited resources are in Table 8.…”

Exaptive innovation in constraint-based environments: lessons from COVID-19 crisis

“…, 2014), which is focused on the recombination of existing resources for innovation and overcomes the liability of newness and smallness of start-ups and SMEs. Santos et al. (2020) recently looked at bricolage as a firm capability to develop frugal innovation (Zeschky et al.…”

“…Some researchers may be more familiar with the concept of bricolage (Garud and Karnøe, 2003;Senyard et al, 2014), which is focused on the recombination of existing resources for innovation and overcomes the liability of newness and smallness of start-ups and SMEs. Santos et al (2020) recently looked at bricolage as a firm capability to develop frugal innovation (Zeschky et al, 2011(Zeschky et al, , 2014 in emergent market economies. But frugal innovation must be low-cost by definition (Cadeddu et al, 2019;Radjou et al, 2012;Rao, 2013;Weyrauch and Herstatt, 2017;Vesci et al, 2021), but it might be difficult, in time of crisis, to find solutions that are simultaneously cheap and fast.…”