Innovation leadership in danish SMEs

Abstract

The survivability of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been debated heavily for past decades. Several growth theories have been introduced in attempts to guide SMEs towards achieving their goals. Globalization has rendered these theories moot, as they lack to reflect upon todaypsilas developments in innovation. We propose SMEs to ldquoleadrdquo innovation, i.e. innovation leadership, to succeed in todaypsilas volatile business environment. Innovation leadership is a strategic way of implementing innovation that is applicable especially to SMEs. This is because SMEs are flexible, lightly-structured and thus can adapt to the requirements of the innovation leadership model. Unfortunately SMEs also lack multiple resources that are needed in order to lead innovation. This paper discusses the potential of innovation leadership in SMEs.