Innovation in the Small

Innovation in the small business can be conceived of as a management process and challenge. This process, when mapped, offers a framework that can be used to encourage and enhance innovation. This paper outlines an innovation process framework that has three main stages. The first stage encompasses the development of the 'building blocks' of innovation, namely: a strategy for innovation; awareness of the external environment and opportunities; the capability to innovate within the small business. The second stage relates to the development of innovative responses to problems and opportunities experienced by the small business or its key stakeholders. The final, third, stage commercialises the innovative response, both tactically and strategically, in ways that maximise its benefit to the small business. Overall, effective innovation is based on managing this process as a whole, and on building up capacity and competency in each stage. The framework has since been used as the...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 1999
• Where: COMPUTER
• Authors: Ted G. Lewis
• Keywords: COMPUTER 1999, Innovation, Innovative Responses, Small Business