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Innovation Capacity, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Flexibility: An Analysis from Industrial SMEs in Ecuador

Author

Listed:
  • Wendy Anzules-Falcones

    (Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Carrera de Administración de Empresas, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170125, Ecuador)

  • Sylvia Novillo-Villegas

    (Intelligent and Interactive Systems Laboratory, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170125, Ecuador
    Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Carrera de Ingeniería Industrial, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170125, Ecuador)

Abstract

Through the methodology of a case study, this paper presents a holistic analysis of the relationship between innovation capacity, entrepreneurial orientation, flexibility, and environmental factors. Three studies were conducted in the context of chemical-pharmaceutical industries, SMEs, in a small economy. Likewise, they analyze the relationship between the innovation capacity and internationalization of those companies. The studies provide further evidence of the relationships between areas of interest, where links among entrepreneurial orientation, flexibility, externalities (local and international), and innovation capacity are clear. Finally, this paper contributes to the theory-building on innovation capacity and internationalization from a scholarly perspective while presenting a practical view for practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • Wendy Anzules-Falcones & Sylvia Novillo-Villegas, 2023. "Innovation Capacity, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Flexibility: An Analysis from Industrial SMEs in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10321-:d:1183102
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