Innovation capabilities and their dimensions: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Innovation capabilities (ICs) represent a crucial source of competitive advantage for firms. However, the literature on ICs is extensive, leading to a diverse understanding of their nature and measurement. A notable gap exists in delineating the dimensions constituting ICs. This article aims to address this gap by identifying and pinpointing the various dimensions of ICs through a systematic literature review (SLR). The initial step involves identifying the diverse dimensions used in ICs, providing a distinctive insight for assessing their metrics. Notably, this SLR stands out as the only comprehensive analysis of various ICs dimensions, organizing them coherently. Examining 103 articles from the Web of Science and Scopus databases spanning from 2001 to 2022, the results reveal an amalgam of scales and associated approaches for IC measurement. This study contributes to the literature by systematically identifying and analyzing the main dimensions employed by researchers to measure ICs. Additionally, it highlights the foundational theoretical approaches of the identified studies. In practical terms, the study consolidates and presents the identified dimensions and metrics in integrative tables, offering researchers and companies valuable insights into diverse innovation paths that impact performance.