INNOVATION IN BRAZILIAN SMALL COMPANIES

Abstract

This study aims to identify the interfaces and boundaries of innovation orientation of Brazilian MSEs. Despite the importance of innovation for Brazilian MSEs, a thorough analysis of such initiatives in Brazil still has not actually happened. Thus, a search was developed from a quantitative approach of applied nature and descriptive. A structured questionnaire was used and 700 MSEs were interviewed using a probabilistic sampling. The study offers two important conclusions. First, the challenges for innovation can be perceived along three dimensions: design innovation, the implementation of innovation, and the functional area of innovation. And second, the data confirms that small Brazilian companies generally have difficulties to sell their innovations.