Innovation in Small Businesses: towards an Owner-Centered Approach to Innovation

Abstract Purpose: We aim to understand how small business owners develop innovations. Theoretical framework: We adopt social cognitive theory to understand innovative activities in small businesses. We draw on Schumpeter’s work to understand how owners may develop innovations and how an owner-centered approach to innovation should take form. Design/methodology/approach: We conducted a multiple case study in small businesses from different traditional sectors. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with the participants and we accessed data from social networks such as the Facebook and Instagram fan pages of the businesses. Findings: The results explain what drives business owners towards innovation and what affects the innovation structure of their businesses. These results are expressed through the antecedents of innovation that emerged from the field and may help in explaining the differences between innovative small businesses and non-innovative small businesses. Research Practical & Social implications: We developed an approach designed for studying innovation within the context and reality of small businesses. In order to contribute to the development of innovations in forgotten businesses, we have listed some recommendations for supporting agencies, government bodies, and researchers alike. Originality/value: Small business innovation is influenced by the owner’s propensity to recognize and act on opportunities. Therefore, the owner can guide the innovation activity in a small business and this needs to be considered by researchers.

摘要：
研究目的：本研究旨在探究小微企业所有者的创新发展路径。
理论框架：本研究采用社会认知理论（social cognitive theory）分析小微企业的创新活动，并借鉴熊彼特的相关理论成果，探讨企业所有者开展创新的实现路径，以及以所有者为中心的创新研究范式应如何构建。
研究设计与方法：本研究针对不同传统行业的小微企业开展多案例研究，对受访对象进行半结构化深度访谈，并采集企业在Facebook、Instagram官方粉丝页面的相关数据。
研究发现：本研究结果阐释了驱动小微企业所有者投身创新的核心动因，以及影响企业创新结构的关键要素。这些从实地调研中提炼出的创新前因，有助于解释创新型与非创新型小微企业之间的差异。
研究、实践与社会意义：本研究构建了适配小微企业真实经营场景的创新研究范式。为推动受忽视领域小微企业的创新发展，本研究为支持性机构、政府部门及科研人员提出了若干针对性建议。
创新性与价值：小微企业的创新活动受所有者识别并把握机遇的意愿影响，因此所有者能够主导小微企业的创新实践，这一视角应被科研人员纳入研究考量范畴。