Exploring SMEs innovation paths with augmented and virtual reality technologies
Abstract
Purpose
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are increasingly recognized among technologies potentially driving the digital innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Nevertheless, the implications of AR/VR adoption in innovation processes have yet to receive much attention to date, with the need to explore the issues facilitating a systematic implementation in the SME context. This study aims to investigate the possible innovation paths of SMEs as a result of AR/VR adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors performed a multiple case study research involving six Italian SMEs in manufacturing and service sectors that are investing in AR and/or VR solutions and are digitally innovating thanks to these technologies.
Findings
AR/VR solutions lead to different types of innovation in SMEs, i.e. for innovating product or service offerings, business processes or even the business model, when AR/VR extends to the company business logic. SMEs demonstrate being able to leverage internal sources with the essential commitment of top management and low resistance of employees in all kinds of AR/VR-enabled innovations. Conversely, they involve different external innovation sources according to the type of innovation pursued. Organizational issues emerged as more relevant than technological issues.
Practical implications
Results contribute to the literature on digital transformation of SMEs and provide managerial guidance on innovation sources and organizational issues to be considered to effectively deploy AR/VR solutions into specific innovation paths.
Originality/value
This study explores the impact of emergent technologies in the innovation process along with multiple perspectives, degree of complexity, and strategic importance in the SME context.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. This research has been partially funded with support from the European Commission within the VAM Realities project [Project number: 612618-EPP-1-2019-1-DE-EPPKA2-KA]. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Since submission of this article, the following author have updated their affiliations: Elena Pessot is at the Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing - National Research Council (STIIMA-CNR), Milan, Italy.
Citation
Pessot, E., Zangiacomi, A. and Sacco, M. (2023), "Exploring SMEs innovation paths with augmented and virtual reality technologies", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-02-2023-0118
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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