Evaluating Colombian SMEs’ technological innovation: Part 1: conceptual basis, evaluation methodology and characterisation of innovative companies

Abstract

Innovative processes currently constitute one of the most important alternatives for increasing organisations’ levels of competitiveness and productivity. The Colombian state (being conscious of this) has generated mechanisms aimed at encouraging technological and innovative development activities in SMEs, as was the case with the Colombian Prize for Entrepreneurial Technological Innovation for SME (Innova) 2006. The experience acquired through the technical evaluation of such prize was a valuable element for identifying Colombian MSMSC innovative characteristics and trends. The present article seeks to establish the current state of innovation in SMEs from experience gained when evaluating and awarding the Innova prize; a frame of reference concerning innovation and design, the methodology used for evaluating the prize and some general statistics regarding the results obtained in 2006 are thus presented. A future publication will give the factors influencing innovation taking geographical regions, sectors and impact as reference. Such results revealed innovative initiatives in strategic sectors such as computer science and services, the leadership of cities such as Bogotá and Medellin and the need for producing clear guidelines for incorporating process and product design into being part of the innovative process.