Innovation Measurement in Clusters of Information Technology Companies: Multi-Case Study in a Brazilian It Lpa (Local Production Arrangement)

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the innovation scores of IT companies and their respective clusters, resulting in a tool for constructing knowledge about these companies and gaining useful information for comparison purposes, since few studies are focused on innovation in Brazilian IT companies, especially microenterprises. A case study methodology was used in this research, and to measure innovation, the model proposed by Edison, Ali and Tonkar (2013) was used. The target audience was the LPA of information technology companies in southwest Paraná, being composed of 50 companies divided into 3 clusters. The data collection was based on a survey with 43 questions built according to the Likert Scale. As a result of the application of the Kruskall-Wallis test, with 5% significance, it was observed that there is a difference between the innovation scores of each cluster, with Clusters 1 and 3 having higher scores. As for the relationship between innovation and turnover, the Spearman Correlation test, with 5% significance, showed that there is a moderate relationship between innovation scores and company turnover. Measuring innovation, both individually and in clusters, is important in the information technology sector because it allows management to see weaknesses and strengths, and implement improvements and changes that ensure increased competitiveness and permanence in the market.