Evolução, facilitadores e dificultadores da inovação na micro e pequena empresa: um estudo nos empreendimentos participantes do Programa ALI em Picos-P

Abstract

Innovation is a driving element of economic development and an important means for survival and competitiveness. Despite the great flexibility of use of the word innovation, business environment the term refers to a new idea or organizational practice, either internally developed or acquired in the market, so that this news provides some value to the company and / or its stakeholders. Because of its recognized importance in the organizational context, innovation has been the subject of research in the world, which indicate how dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon, which can be presented in various dimensions and influenced by several factors. The literature also highlights the importance of measuring this phenomenon, as well as meet and manage the factors that facilitate and hinder the innovative process. In fact the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), innovation plays a fundamental role for competitiveness and survival, but still deserves investigations that deal with particular way, since it has advantages and weaknesses in relation to larger companies. The overall objective of the study is to investigate the evolution, dimensions, facilitating and hindering innovation in MPE served by ALI Program in Picos - PI. A descriptive survey was conducted using secondary data provided by Sebrae and primary data collected through interviews with companies that participated in the ALI and ALI Agent Program that served in the program encouraging innovation in these companies. The results showed that there were significant developments in the SME innovation indicators from the actions of the ALI program. Nevertheless, there are companies in stage 'innovative little or nothing innovative'. Innovations made are predominantly incremental, characterized by small improvements especially in size and offer platform. The main factors facilitating innovation are related to the support of managers and planning of actions necessary for the implementation of innovations. Hindering the innovative process, it highlights the limitation in terms of people, the fear of the consequences of innovation and resistance accommodation sense for innovation.