Abstract
The global competition, with the decreasing of economic barriers and the strong technological and knowledge development, is changing the context of doing business and, therefore is increasing demands to firms to remain competitive. The only possible answer for a sustained competitiveness is through differentiation and innovation, accepting the context of change. Therefore, being an innovator is a firm’s central role in order to help the firm’s survival and profitability.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Innovation: A new product (goods and services), process or idea that is perceived to be new.
Network: The relationship network that result from the firm interaction with other organizations.
Organizational Innovativeness: The firm latent capacity and commitment to innovate.
Innovation Partners: The external partners that contribute to the innovation effort of the firm: customers, suppliers, universities, consultants, competitors, among many other.
Network Innovativeness: The firm capacity to innovate from the development and management of relationships with the different innovation partners.
Product Innovativeness: The degree of newness of a new product perceived according to two axes: new to the firm and new to market.
Market Orientation: A firm orientation towards market, which consists of three behavioural components: customer orientation, competitor orientation, and interfunctional coordination.