Why some Russian industrial companies innovate regularly: Determinants of firms’ decisions to innovate and associated routines

Through a survey of CEOs of Russian industrial companies administered in the second half of 2011 we have tried to understand the forces that lead some firms to decide to engage in more innovative activities than others and examined the types of routines associated with this decision. We found that the most important factors that predispose Russian CEOs towards regular innovations are awareness of rapid changes in technologies and products, positive assessment of the market trends and ability to orchestrate intra-industry cooperation. The most visible routine associated with more innovative behavior is the wide use of subcontractors for most of the activity related to innovations.