Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises Innovation: The Case Of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, Las Practicas De Gestion De La Innovacion En Las Micro, Pequenas Y Medianas Empresas: Resultados Del Estudio De Campo En Piedras Negras Coahuila, Mexico

Innovation is an efficient way for a company to differentiate itself from competitors and to build a sustainable competitive advantage. It is imperative to raise productive capacity to innovate and to evaluate firms’ technology performance. The aim of this study was to characterize the level of innovation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the industrial sector of the City of Piedras Negras and evaluate the best management practices for those companies that innovate. Some 73 MSMEs companies participate in this study. A case analysis was undertaken in four companies using an instrument designed by the National Model of Technology Management, and other sources. The results allow us to visualize the differences in behavior of innovative practices in companies according size. Strengths and weaknesses were detected, as well as internal and external variables that influence the innovation process. The information and analysis provides basic guidance for define strategies to encourage innovation.