Understanding innovation performance measurement in SMEs

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the challenges and characteristics of innovation performance measurement in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study is exploratory-descriptive and uses mixed-method research. Quantitative and qualitative methods for collecting data are used.

Findings

The paper contributes to the current understanding of innovation performance measurement by clarifying how this measurement is used and by defining what must be improved.

Originality/value

Appropriate measures can contribute to a significantly better understanding of innovation. However, studies on how innovation performance measurement is used in practice are scarce. The current state of knowledge of performance measurement in SMEs seems to be limited to studying SMEs from traditional performance measurement perspectives.

Citation

Saunila, M. (2017), "Understanding innovation performance measurement in SMEs", Measuring Business Excellence, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-01-2016-0005