Innovation in the “forgotten businesses”

Abstract

PurposeThe objective of this article is to discuss how the research on innovation in the small businesses may be operationalized. This paper discusses the field's concepts, typologies, units of analysis and the general basic assumptions pertaining to the operationalization of innovation research in small businesses.Design/methodology/approachThe article is an essay, whose format aims to provide the reader with reflections and multiple questions, by instigating the free thinking, the research as well as the construction of different ideas and/or perceptions in a logical and scientific way (Meneghetti, 2011). Thus, a conceptual approach for the operationalization of the innovation research in small businesses is proposed and discussed.FindingsMost of the innovation literature has ignored the small businesses, so that its core concepts and basic assumptions should be reviewed in an inclusive approach. The authors developed an analytical proposal that consists of a four-step logical approach to researching innovation in small businesses, starting from the innovation's concept as something important and then evolving to discussing how one has to try and see the small business as an object of study.Originality/valueThe value of this paper lies with the attempt to critically bring the small businesses into the spotlight, as study them has practical and theoretical implications that go beyond the field of innovation itself.

Critical Factors in Promoting Sustainable Innovation in Bahrain

“…tives, defining innovation as the commercialization of all new combinations based on the application of new materials or components, the introduction of new processes, the opening of new markets, and/or the introduction of new organizational forms [9] . The OECD's conceptualization incorporates the set of activities designed to foster innovative products or services, defining innovation as: "the implementation of a new or significantly improved product (good or service), or process, a new marketing method, or a new organizational method in business practices, workplace organization or external relations" [10] .…”

“…However, a major critique of the innovation literature is that it "has ignored the small businesses, so that its core concepts and basic assumptions should be reviewed in an inclusive approach" [9] . This is a particularly important point for Bahrain, where the SME sector is seen as the "life-blood" of innovation [18] , forming 98.8 percent of the Kingdom's businesses, 80 percent of employment opportunities, and more than 60 percent of GDP in 2012.…”

Do innovation policies support micro and small enterprises to overcome barriers?

“…MSEs are often overlooked in discussions about innovation and public policies, despite their significant contributions to the economy and their ability to generate new ideas (Silva & Di Serio, 2021). These businesses typically operate in low-tech industries and rely on external resources such as universities and research institutes for innovation rather than in-house research and development processes (Moraes Silva, Lucas, & Vonortas, 2020; Silva & Di Serio, 2021). MSEs play a significant role in the economy and society.…”