The effect of organisational size and age on position and paradigm innovation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to knowledge and theory on innovation in small and medium-sized organisations (SMEs) by exploring the role of size and age on organisational engagement with position and paradigm innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on organisational characteristics, including age and size, and engagement with position and paradigm innovation was collected as part of a questionnaire based survey of food sector SMEs in the UK. Structural equation modelling was used to identify the existence of any significant relationships between engagement with position and paradigm innovation and organisational age and size.

Findings

Findings suggest that organisational engagement with position and paradigm innovation is not affected by either age or size.

Originality/value

Prior research, based primarily on process and product innovation, has generated contradictory results regarding whether size or age effect innovation. This study contributes by focusing on the previously unexplored concepts of position and paradigm innovation.

Citation

Baregheh, A., Rowley, J. and Hemsworth, D. (2016), "The effect of organisational size and age on position and paradigm innovation", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 768-789. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-06-2015-0065