Board-related processes and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises: A continuum logic and configurational approach

Abstract

This article identifies configurations in terms of original board-related processes (i.e., establishment, integration, centralization, and bureaucracy) that can stimulate innovation. A singular theorization is developed around a continuum logic and various theoretical postulates. Its experimentation via a configurational approach (Fiss, 2011; Furnari et al., 2021; Misangyi et al., 2017) has been applied to data collected through a survey of 300 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Ultimately, the results show that innovation may result from complex combined effects between four board-related processes that occur at different times (i.e., upstream, midstream, and downstream) and evolve according to SMEs’ bi-dimensional level of growth (i.e., size and age). Thus, this study notably goes beyond the simplistic view that currently prevails in the literature regarding the hypothesis of linear links between the board of directors (BoD) and innovation. By the same token, this work emancipates itself from the tendency to establish hierarchies implying that certain isolated elements would necessarily be pre-eminent regarding innovation. These findings, which integrate the necessary nuanced approach when studying such a complex phenomenon, have made it possible to generate multiple contributions, both theoretical and practical.