Innovation as an organized typology: Implications for SMEs

Innovation networks are organized throurh constant learning and different innovation require quite different organizational efforts and may result in a multitude of competitive impact, thus innovations may be categorized in an organized typology. Changes in the organization of innovation process appear to have facilitated to broaden geographical linkage of products, processes, and markets. The growing use of networks by all firms has created both opportunities and threats for the SMEs. On the one hand, large firms have increasingly sought out SMEs as they have developed their use of extensive networks, on the other hand, by doing so, large firms can avail themselves of the flexibility long enjoyed by SMEs. We have evaluated the R&D activities of both large and small firms, the traditional advantages, flexibility and rapid response enjoyed by SMEs might not be compensated by the size limitations. Finally, we present a case to illustrate how a technological innovation network provides the necessary resources to change the business model in order to demonstrate that innovation, not like invention, can be categorized in organized typology.