Objetivo: Identificar os Fatores Gerenciais de Excelência (FGEs) e o grau de maturidade, produtividade e competitividade da gestão associados ao desempenho financeiro das Micro e Pequenas Empresas (MPEs) da cidade de Barretos (SP). Metodologia: A pesquisa é quantitativa e explora duas bases de dados das MPEs: i) Documental: Cadastro do Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (SEBRAE) de Barretos; ii) Survey: Aplicação do questionário MEG da Fundação Nacional da Qualidade (FNQ). Uma análise descritiva dos dados de 200 MPEs pertencentes a diferentes segmentos (Serviços, Indústria, Comércio e Construção Civil) e testes estatísticos (Qui-quadrado de Independência e Regressão Logística Binária) são realizados utilizando o software Minitab®. Relevância: A mortalidade das MPEs antes dos quatro anos aproxima-se de 77,9% no Brasil. Entretanto, as MPEs representam cerca de 93,6% das empresas privadas do Brasil. A literatura, para compreender os FGEs das MPEs, tem empregado o Modelo de Excelência da Gestão (MEG) de “Classe Mundial”. Porém, poucas pesquisas utilizam MEGs para analisar o impacto dos FGEs no desempenho das MPEs. Esta pesquisa satisfaz essa lacuna ao realizar um maior aprofundamento à compreensão da aplicação dos MEGs e suas relações com o desempenho financeiro das MPEs. Principais resultados: As análises mostram que os fatores “Pessoas”, “Processos” e “Liderança e Inovação” impactam positivamente no desempenho financeiro das MPEs (valor-p < 0,05). Além disso, os principais fatores sociodemográficos são a “Escolaridade” e as “Experiências com Empreendedorismo” (valor-p < 0,05). As conclusões evidenciam o uso do MEG como subsídio para o desenvolvimento de políticas para as MPEs. Principais contribuições: A maior parte da literatura sobre MEGs foca nas grandes organizações e não nas MPEs. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa apresenta respostas sobre quais os principais fatores que potencializam a maturidade da gestão e o desempenho financeiro das MPEs. Portanto, esta pesquisa contribui para a compreensão dos padrões de excelência de gestão e para o desenvolvimento de estratégias mais eficazes à melhoria do desempenho financeiro e competitividade das MPEs.

Introduction The peer review process is essential to ensure the quality, rigor, and relevance of scientific publications. The International Journal of Innovation (IJI), a journal dedicated to disseminating research on innovation with an emphasis on emerging markets, values the thorough and constructive contributions of its reviewers. These professionals play a crucial role in the selection and improvement of published research, directly contributing to the journal’s scientific excellence. This editorial commentary addresses the role of reviewers within the specific context of the IJI, offering practical guidance especially aimed at early-career researchers and doctoral students who are beginning to engage in the manuscript evaluation process. More than merely judging submitted works, the reviewer acts as a strategic partner to authors, providing constructive recommendations that strengthen the methodological and theoretical quality of the research under review. Recognizing the importance of this role means understanding the direct influence that reviewers have on the advancement of validated scientific knowledge. Well-conducted reviews elevate the quality of published articles and contribute to the academic career development of the reviewers themselves. Full text - here

Objective of the study: This study aims to contribute to understanding sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) activities (Operational Optimization -OO, Organizational Transformation- OT, and Systems Building SB) in the context of collaborative networks (CNs) and Dynamic Capabilities (DCs), proposing a conceptual framework. Methodology/approach: We adopted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and identified 198 relevant papers. The papers were analyzed through quantitative and qualitative techniques as well as network analyses. Originality/Relevance: This paper explores DCss, enablers of DCss, and SOI activities on collaborative networks, relating each DCs to these activities through a conceptual framework. Main results: Organizations need to develop DCs to promote SOI activities. The conceptual framework mainly emphasizes, from the perspective of SOI activities, the need to carry out system-building activities (SB), such as creating platforms for collaborative processes, generating co-created value, circular economy actions, and others. Theoretical/methodological contributions: Contribute to explaining the intersection of SOIs and collaborative networks by incorporating the DCs perspective as a necessary element for the development of SOI activities. We also expand the literature on SOI by identifying enablers that are specific to DCs to foster SOI activities when companies are inserted in collaborative networks by proposing a conceptual framework. Social /management contributions: The framework is a support tool for managers since it provides guidelines on which DCs can be developed and/or improved in the context of collaborative networks to develop SOI activities. The framework also guides managers regarding which enablers organizations and their partners need to focus on to improve/develop specific DCs.

Study Objective: This article analyzes the implementation of innovation policies in Brazilian public universities, focusing on the challenges and opportunities. It aims to understand how this process unfolds and its significance for the country's socio-economic development. Methodology/Approach: The study involved interviews with innovation managers from three Brazilian public universities, document analysis, and a review of relevant laws and regulations. It assessed the existence and status of internal innovation policies in various institutions. Originality/Relevance: The research addresses the complex process of implementing innovation policies in the context of Brazilian public universities. It highlights the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and technology transfer and discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by these institutions. Main Results: The study reveals challenges such as a lack of a culture of innovation among researchers, bureaucracy, and insufficient financial resources. It also identifies opportunities like the creation of mechanisms for innovation, partnerships with companies, and technology transfer to society. A significant number of institutions have adopted innovation policies, but challenges persist. Theoretical/Methodological Contributions: The research contributes to the understanding of innovation policy implementation in Brazilian public universities. It provides insights into the need for cultural change, collaboration, personnel training, intellectual property management, infrastructure improvement, and financial resource acquisition. Social/Administrative Contributions: The findings emphasize the transformative potential of innovation policies for Brazil's economic and social development. Bridging the gap between universities and businesses, enhancing collaboration, and securing resources are vital for successful policy implementation and the promotion of innovation culture in universities.

Objective: The present study investigates the impact of ICT incubator in scaling up graduates’ innovation and entrepreneurship ventures in Tanzania. Design and methods: A descriptive design mainly relying on a qualitative approach was used. To collect data, the study used a mixed data collection method integrating face-to-face and focus group discussions for primary data from incubator staff and student incubatees. The primary data collected was subjected to thematic analysis. Main results: The study reveals that the incubator significantly contributes to the development of new start- ups and the growth of existing ones. However, not all new start-ups survive after the incubation period. The foreseen challenges such as capital, stiff market competition, and unfriendly legal and regulatory frameworks appear to hold back graduates’ innovations and entrepreneurship ventures. Theoretical contribution: The study findings are expected to enlighten the government and non-government innovation and entrepreneurship stakeholders, decision-makers, and policymakers on the importance of ICT incubators in fostering digital innovation and entrepreneurship ventures. Practical contribution: The study recommends amendment of unfriendly legal and regulatory frameworks, creation of a business-conducive environment, and provision of start-up capital for smooth scaling of innovations and entrepreneurship ventures.

Objective of the study: Innovation hubs have taken on a leading role in innovation-led regional development. This article seeks to understand the role of the individual orchestrators of innovation hubs from different stages. Methodology: A multiple case study was conducted with three reference innovation hubs – Instituto Caldeira, Instituto Hélice, and Aliança Empresarial, located in different regions of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, with different market characteristics, sizes, and involvement with innovation. Originality/Relevance: The work’s originality lies in understanding the role of the individual who is orchestrating the innovation hubs. Previous literature has focused on orchestration activities but has not considered who would perform this task. Main results: Unlike what is mentioned in the literature, we discovered that the orchestrator needs to act on a multi-level. This study, therefore, presents a model to guide the role of individual orchestrators of innovation hubs. Theoretical/Methodological contributions: This study opens the black box of the orchestrator's role and explores the individual level of orchestration. From this, it contributes to a role that operates at the operational, tactical, and strategic levels. Social/management contributions: The categorization provides a managerial framework to assist in the organization, development, and orchestration of innovation hubs. The research contributes to defining the roles of individual orchestrators in practice, helping hubs of different formats to promote more innovation from their relationships.

Objective of the study: The article aims to propose and test a Social Customer Relationship Management Acceptance and Usage Model that considers antecedent factors in micro and small enterprises. Methodology/approach: A survey analyzed through structural equation modeling was conducted with managers of micro and small Brazilian companies. Originality/Relevance: The use of social networks as a source of the process of monitoring, analysis and content generation for business strategy is recent and very relevant for the sustainability of micro and small businesses. Main results: Although some hypotheses were not validated, the study fills important gaps in empirical research on micro and small businesses. Replicating this study in different cultural contexts could offer further insights. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The positive results indicate that, despite some hypotheses being rejected, the study confirms the relevance of "Customer Information Processing Capacity" and its influence on the "Use of Social CRM," highlighting the importance of social interactions and engagement capacity for value co-creation in micro and small businesses. Socia /management contributions: Managers can leverage the relationship between the “Ability to Engage the Customer Via Social Media” and “Social Influence” to enhance their social media strategies and improve customer engagement.

Introduction The Discussion section in an academic article holds significant importance, particularly within the context of innovation research. It is in this section that authors can move beyond the presentation of results and delve into the implications of their findings for the advancement of knowledge and practice in the field. A well-crafted Discussion section not only elucidates the meaning and relevance of the research findings but also connects them to the broader body of literature, highlighting the unique contributions of the study and paving the way for future research avenues. The proper structuring of the discussion is a fundamental element for the quality and acceptance of academic articles (Ferreira, 2013; Serra, 2017). This editorial comment aims to provide authors with practical guidance on how to effectively write a Discussion section that meets the standards of the International Journal of Innovation (IJI). To achieve this objective, we will first identify common pitfalls observed in Discussion sections. We will then draw on comments from experienced editors and established guidelines to offer concrete recommendations for improvement. Finally, we will present a structure for organizing the Discussion section to maximize its impact and contribution to the field of innovation research. Full text in pdf

Objective of the study: The purpose of this research is to study the effective factors on the development of digital entrepreneurship. Methodology: The statistical population of this research included digital sports entrepreneurs and sports management experts, from whom 20 people were selected by purposeful sampling for in-depth interviews until reaching theoretical saturation. Thematic analysis method was used for data analysis. Originality/relevance: Digital entrepreneurship is an emerging field in sport; therefore, the effective factors on the development of digital entrepreneurship in sport have not been considered as a comprehensive and complete model. Main results: A total of 199 initial codes were extracted, after which that, 54 preliminary themes, 10 sub themes, 8 main themes and 3 main categories were formed. Finally, the categories were grouped into 3 main categories, including background, structural, and content factors. Theoretical/methodological contributions: Awareness of the effective factors on digital entrepreneurship in sport can contribute to the growth and development of this field. This work aims to offer a deeper expression on this important field. Social/management contributions: Based on research findings, it is suggested that in the first step, specialized and up-to-date training courses be provided on digital entrepreneurship, and in the next steps, a specific trade union system for sports entrepreneurs should be formed to regulate the relationship between private sector and the government in the field of sports entrepreneurship.

Objective of the study: Given the benefits of external collaborations in technology-intensive industries, we explore how firms adapt their portfolios of external collaborations to internal uncertainties. Using the behavioral theory of the firm, this study examines how firms adapt based on innovation performance feedback. Methodology/approach: We built a panel dataset from three sources. Patent data came from The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) paper (Kogan, Papanikolaou, Seru, & Stoffman, 2017), which used extensive name-matching tools to link USPTO patents to firms. External collaborations data were collected from the SDC Platinum Joint Ventures and Alliances database, focusing on R&D agreements. Financial data were sourced from Compustat. After processing, the dataset included nearly 900 publicly listed firms from 12 high-tech industries (1990-2010). We tested our hypotheses using two probit models, each predicting a different dependent variable. Originality/Relevance: We shift the focus from the traditional dyad perspective, which centers on individual partnerships, to how firms adjust their entire portfolios of external collaborations in response to their internal dynamics, like innovation performance feedback. While real options and transaction cost theories emphasize the need to maximize efficiency in individual partnerships, we explore how firms adapt their broader set of external collaborations to changing internal conditions. Main results: We find that firms performing above innovation aspirations are more likely to form equity alliances (i.e., joint ventures). However, the magnitude of this effect greatly differs between mature and young firms. Young firms are about four times more likely than their mature counterparts to form equity alliances when they significantly surpass their innovation targets. Theoretical/methodological contributions: Our study contributes to the research on alliance portfolio adaptation by showing that, beyond external factors like technological change and market uncertainty, firms also adjust their portfolios of external collaborations in response to internal factors, specifically innovation performance feedback. Moreover, our findings also demonstrate that firms’ responses to innovation performance relative to aspirations vary based on their lifecycle stage. Social /management contributions: Our study also has several implications for managers. First, managers of well-performing firms should view exceeding innovation aspirations as a signal to pursue collaborations to scale new technologies and knowledge. Their performance gives them a stronger negotiating position for forming joint ventures, allowing them to secure more favorable terms. Additionally, they should, in this case, seek partnerships to share risks associated with cutting-edge innovation projects rather than solely investing in internal innovation prospects. For young firms, which tend to respond more aggressively when outperforming their innovation aspirations, managers should adopt bold partnership strategies. In contrast, managers in mature firms should focus their resources on internal development, mergers and acquisitions, or partnerships that help maintain the autonomy of these firms.