Measuring innovation process digitalisation in SMEs – a methodological approach

Abstract

Digitalization, which is now quite deeply rooted in business, makes many authors start to question the previous definition of innovation, innovation management and digital innovation. IT tools and platforms are now among the key factors significantly influencing innovation process. Yet, the commonly referred models of innovation processes, do not fully take into account the opportunities offered by digital tools and modifications they may introduce to new product, service or process development, which makes it difficult to measure the impact of innovation processes digitalization. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore understanding of innovation process in digital environment and develop methodology aimed at measuring levels and intensity of innovation process digitalization, that can be used for further comparative and impact-oriented analysis. The Authors use qualitative research approach, based on in-depth literature studies combined with exploration of digital tools that can be used to facilitate innovation process. In result, they propose process-subordinated measurement methodology and discuss how this methodology can be used in science-oriented and practice-oriented research process.