Towards an Integrative View of Innovation in Food Sector SMEs

Abstract

Most literature on innovation focuses on organizational engagement with innovation types in isolation from one another. By establishing the interdependency of innovation types in SMEs in the UK food sector, this study provides evidence to support the case for a more holistic approach in innovation research. Thus the study both contributes to the limited research on innovation in food sector SMEs and supports the integrative view of innovation. Using questionnaire-based data, structured equation modelling was used to propose and test the interrelationships between the level of engagement with product, process, position and paradigm innovation. A significant positive relationship between innovation types was identified.