What does this research mean for the field?

Human capital, continuous R&D investment, and external collaborations are the primary drivers of firm innovation, while financial and regulatory barriers significantly constrain innovation potential, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate and synthesize the internal capabilities and external ecosystem factors that drive or constrain firm innovation performance.

August 23, 2026HeliyonOpen Access

Drivers and barriers to innovation performance: evidence from an interpretative literature review

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Authors

CBCarlos Labarcés BallestasUniversity of Magdalena ÁPÁngel Peiró‐SignesUniversitat de València MSMarival Segarra-OñaUniversitat Politècnica de València

Discussion

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Implication

Literature review uncovers key drivers and financial barriers of innovation in enterprises, highlighting the need for digital investment and supportive policy.

Key Points

To evaluate and synthesize the internal capabilities and external ecosystem factors that drive or constrain firm innovation performance.
Conducted an interpretative literature review using a three-stage methodology (planning, execution, and synthesis).
Searched the Web of Science Core Collection for peer-reviewed social science articles published between 2001 and 2023.
Audited journal quality and quartile rankings to establish a final analyzed sample of 122 articles.
Identified workforce human capital, continuous research and development, digital infrastructure, and external collaboration (such as university partnerships) as core drivers of enterprise absorptive capacity and competitiveness.
Identified critical financial constraints and regulatory barriers as the primary obstacles that disproportionately restrict the innovation potential of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Cite This Study

Ballestas et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8aad417677a34114445786 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2026.e45303

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Implication

Literature review uncovers key drivers and financial barriers of innovation in enterprises, highlighting the need for digital investment and supportive policy.

Drivers and barriers to innovation performance: evidence from an interpretative literature review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Drivers and barriers to innovation performance: evidence from an interpretative literature review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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