An integrated model of innovation drivers for smaller software firms

Accepted version
Repository DOI

Type
Article
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Authors
Rose, J 
Jones, MR 
Furneaux, B 
Abstract

High-technology innovation is essential for economic development in industrialized societies. However, innovation practice in smaller software companies has received little attention. We derive software innovation drivers and outputs from a fragmented literature and analyze their empirical relevance using qualitative data from 25 in-depth interviews with software executives in the Silicon Fen. Repeating patterns in the data set revealed through content analysis show that the most important innovation drivers for smaller software firms are external knowledge, leadership and team processes. Specialized innovation tools and techniques are hardly used. We develop a model of software innovation drivers, together with explorative theoretical propositions.

Description
Keywords
software, information system development, creativity, invention, innovation, management, small and medium size enterprises, knowledge leverage
Journal Title
Information and Management
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
1872-7530
Volume Title
53
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
This research work is supported by the Danish Research Council: grant no. 12-133180. Many thanks to the interviewees and the participating companies.