Abstract

VALENZUELA, Alejandro  and  CONTRERAS, Oscar F.. Trust and technological innovation in small companies: metal mechanic and information technology industries in Sonora. Pap. poblac [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.76, pp.233-269. ISSN 2448-7147.

The relation between trust and technological innovation in Sonora's small companies is analized, under the assumption that trust reduces uncertainty and transaction costs by replacing the incomplete information in the client-supplier relation. Trust is classified in three dimensions: normative (based on honesty and good will), technical (based on technical skills) and strategic (based on leadership and prestige). Results indicate that the influence on normative and stategic trust is indirect since both are mediated by learning processes resulting from the client-supplier relation, meanwhile technical trust exerts a direct influence on innovation.

Keywords : Innovation in small companies; technological learning; trust; global value chains.