Abstract

OLLIVIER FIERRO, Juan Óscar  and  THOMPSON GUTIERREZ, Patricia Irene. Differences in the innovation process between small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing industry of Chihuahua, Mexico. Contad. Adm [online]. 2009, n.227, pp.9-28. ISSN 0186-1042.

We undertake a comparative analysis of the main variables involved in the innovation process between small and medium size enterprises (SME). The method is based on a survey of eighty seven SME in the manufacturing industry of Chihuahua, Mexico in 2007. The main results show a negative relationship between the innovative dynamics and the size of the firms, which allows validating the hypothesis that postulates a higher efficiency in the innovative process of the smaller firms. It was also found, according to literature on the subject, a positive relationship between the innovation effort and the relative economic performance on the firms and also that customers are the main innovation source. The following are observed as opportunity areas: general ignorance of fiscal incentives; poor culture of intellectual property and lack of links between the SME and research & development centers and educative institutions.

Keywords : SME; Innovation process; Added value; R & D effort.