J.A. Keizer

Explaining innovative efforts of SMEs. An exploratory survey among SMEs in the mechanical and electrical engineering sector in The Netherlands

Innovations are among the most important means through which small and medium sized enterprises contribute to increased employment, economic growth and economic dynamics. A lot of research has been carried out to determine which factors enhance innovative efforts of SMEs. This study uses a regression-based methodology to examine the importance of each factor, controlling for the other factors. The study is based on data collected through telephone interviews with managers of Dutch SMEs in the metal-electro-sector. In the analyses innovative efforts are used as the dependent variable. Out of 14 potentially independent variables, three appear to contribute significantly to innovative efforts: using innovation subsidies, having links with knowledge centres, and the percentage of turnover invested in R&D. This article suggests that innovativeness is the result of a deliberately chosen and pursued policy. If governmental and or sectoral institutions want to stimulate SMEs to become and remain innovative, they should encourage these companies to implement an innovation directed policy. Without such a policy, SMEs seem unable to digest successfully stimulating measures and subsidy schemes.

Diagnosing risks in product-innovation projects

A new method of diagnosing risks in product-innovation projects is introduced in the paper. The method is an improvement on existing risk methods used on product-innovation projects, such as potential problem analysis and failure mode and effects analysis. Technological, organizational and commercial risks are identified and assessed on an individual basis. These risks are mapped in a risk topography which is used as an input for the drawing up of a risk-management plan. The method has been developed on the basis of case-study investigations, and applied in various product-innovation projects in the Netherlands and in Germany.

Diagnosing constraints in knowledge of SMEs

SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) have problems with both formulating and acquiring new knowledge and skills. A method is proposed to identify the knowledge and skills an SME requires to exploit its market opportunities. The method provides a quick but effective strategic analysis to diagnose gaps that are essential for a company in its attempt to maintain or improve its competitiveness. Within this method, gaps in knowledge and skills relate to a company’s market approach, product designs, production technology, and management methods. For the identified gaps, necessary actions are planned. This enables a company to acquire new knowledge and skills, and to bring its market approach, product designs, production technology, and management methods in line with both the company’s own ambitions and market demands. In applying the method, it turned out that the companies involved were made conscious of the emerging strategic pattern regarding their attempts to achieve competitive advantage.

Risks in major innovation projects, a multiple case study within a world's leading company in the fast moving consumer goods

This paper investigates which risks characterise radical innovation projects. In-dept case studies were carried out via interviews and a questionnaire. The risk concept applied in this study includes three dimensions: certainty, controllability and impact. Three structural or unambiguous risks were found: new product performance according to specification, reliability of suppliers and new product adoption by consumers. The incidental or ambiguous risks that were found relate to: internal organisation and project management. These results can provide guidance for project teams and innovation managers regarding issues they must seek to tick off early and issues that continuously require team and management attention.

Strategic decision-making about technology-based projects: development and use of a risk reference framework

This chapter describes the development and use of a risk reference framework for diagnosing risks in technology-based projects. The risk reference framework consists of 12 main risk categories and 142 connected critical innovation issues. This framework has been developed for a globally operating company in the fast moving consumer goods industry. The development has been based on data from 114 interviews with professionals in product innovation, in-depth risk analyses carried out for 8 breakthrough projects, input from a panel with experts in product innovation, and an extensive literature review. The use of the risk reference framework as an essential part of a formal risk assessment process is explained.