Leveraging SMEs’ Competitiveness Through Innovation and Standardization: Case Study of SMEs in Medical Device

Abstract

Indonesia’s medical devices industry has indicated substantial growth recently. However, domestic products are still seemingly less competitive than imported products. This study aimed to fill the gap by presenting a more robust analysis regarding the collaborative innovation process of new medical devices to support the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through innovation and standardization. This study employed a qualitative case study approach using a holistic multiple-case design, namely by looking into the innovation process of GLP HFNC-01 and Dharcov-23S medical devices. As the results, we have discovered the activities in the standardization process for each stage of the innovation process and the specific types of standards that SMEs should meet. We have figured out multi-stakeholder cooperation in supporting SMEs in each activity. Furthermore, the role of multi-stakeholder collaboration is also highlighted in supporting SMEs along the innovation and standardization process to gain market competitiveness. Actors involved in each innovation process have disparate backgrounds, capabilities, and knowledge, such as the Public Research Institute (PRI), industries, governments (public testing laboratory, National Public Procurement Agency, Ministry of Health), medical experts, hospitals, and users.