The impact of different types of innovation and governmental support in the performance of firms: the case of Central and Eastern Europe manufacturing SMEs

Abstract This study examined companies from two different groups of countries in Central and Eastern Europe and their partnerships with the Government for the development of four types of innovation (product, process, organizational, and marketing). The research included ex-soviet republics (Eu members and non-members), and observed how each type of innovation affects the firms’ financial performance. A sample of 1,143 manufacturing SMEs from the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) were tested using multiple regression and logit. Based on the absorptive capacity theory, the results show that manufacturing SMEs from EU-member countries have a higher absorptive capacity and take advantage of the EU’s innovation promotion programs to innovate. On the other hand, the SMEs from non EU-member states perceive a quicker effect of the innovations in financial performance, considering that there is a technological gap between the two groups (non EU-members are less developed). Also, the introduction of different types of innovations simultaneously boosts the performance of firms from non EU-member countries in the short run.