Human capital performance and its effect on the technological innovation capacity of SMEs

Abstract

This paper seeks to measure the influence of human capital performance on the technological innovation capacity perceived by SMEs managers in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. To achieve this, we used a mixed methodology made up of two stages. The first stage consisted of an exploratory analysis (through a pilot test) that included interviews to a group of businesspersons with the characteristics of the selected sample; this intended to reflect on the topic of study based on the results obtained by validating the measuring instrument. The second stage involved statistical analysis using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation models in a sample of 108 managers. The main results show that SMEs managers develop technological innovation through management strategies that make part of the administrative processes, based on the performance of human capital as a productive factor, and taking activities performed by the employee as a starting point to create strategies in order to obtain and maintain human capital.