The engineering industry needs to be more innovative. A case study of a recent breakthrough innovative development by Michelin is discussed. The influence of prior training with systematic problem solving method TRIZ, on the innovation team, is assessed using a questionnaire. The questionnaire...

Universities are increasingly encouraged to take a leading role in economic development, particularly through innovation. Simultaneously, economic development policy itself is increasingly focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), creating overlapping interactions in the roles of...

Ever since the Bolton Report (1971), academics and policy makers have looked towards the small business sector as a primary source of economic development, innovation and growth. The realisation that fast growing SMEs are major contributors to economic prosperity has also seen these firms being...

Firms face the challenge to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive global market, developing strategies to continuously innovate, often having to do more with less. Increasing awareness of the benefits of stimulating continuous innovation in small and medium enterprises has led to the...

This study investigates the links between product innovation and external collaboration and between future product innovation and past abandonment in small and medium sized firms. Our findings from 449 manufacturing firms indicated firms that sought ideas or solutions from an external network...

In today?s global economy innovation is presented as the key to economic development and sustainability. Only through innovation can companies ensure their progress and their place in the market and can become strong enough to survive and prosper. By creating a favourable environment for...

Abstract: Purpose ? Studies of capability building and organisational learning through networked arrangements have been growing in recent years. In high-technology industries, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises overcome problems of resource and information limitations by becoming...