Methodological proposal for the identification of incremental innovations in SMEs

Abstract

Purpose: To propose a methodology for identifying incremental innovations to find sustainable competitive advantages of organizations, especially in SMEs, through the use of Money Makers. Design/Methodology/Approach: A study was carried out by means of the inductive-deductive method while a theoretical framework that guides the analysis of the phenomenon is approached. During the development of the study, the use of techniques such as technological surveillance, technological mapping, and technological scanning were used. Findings: The proposed Money Makers identification model has been executed in 4 stages, where the search for technological Money Makers and the process improvements that impact the business model of companies are oriented. In the first stage, the baseline is constructed by evaluating the current state of the company's technologies. Subsequently, trends at the level of Money Makers are identified and detected, and the procedure for their selection depending on the area of the value chain where it is considered that it can be implemented. Practical Implications: Although there were several studies in the same issue our model can be used for practical implications because of its simplicity. Originality/Value: The study proposes a fairly easy methodological proposal for the identification of incremantal innovations in SMEs.