Innovation Management in SMEs: Active Innovators in New Zealand

Since innovation is a key driver of economic growth and social development, research on innovation activities and processes is vital for policy makers, practitioners and scholars. This paper reports key findings from an empirical study of innovation processes in 95 New Zealand SMEs which are active innovators. Results include the characteristics of innovative New Zealand SMEs, the types of innovations they are developing, and their perceptions of the context for innovation in New Zealand. The status of their innovation management processes were also evaluated using indices for Srategy, Market, Innovation, and Resource factors. These companies are well established, demonstrating significant growth, high propensity to innovate and a portfolio of innovations. Further, they are well organised to commercialise their innovations. However, significant inhibitors to growth were identified and these have specific policy implications which are important given the imperative for economic growth and productivity improvements in New Zealand.