Title: A model for the analysis of innovative products: a regional perspective

Authors: Maxima J. Lopez-Eguilaz, Jesus M. Pernaut-Solchaga, M. Amaya Perez-Ezcurdia

Addresses: Dpto. Ingenieria de la Construccion y Fabricacion, E.T.S.I.Industriales, UNED, Apartado 60149, 28080 Madrid, Spain. Dpto. Proyectos e Ingenieria Rural, Universidad Publica de Navarra, Campus Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain. Dpto. Proyectos e Ingenieria Rural, Universidad Publica de Navarra, Campus Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain

Abstract: In a globalised market, companies need to give their products added value in order to be competitive. The creation of innovative products is a factor that becomes crucial to the survival of industries. There are clear difficulties involved, however, when it comes to carrying out design and development projects for new products, especially for small and medium-sized companies. This article presents a comprehensive analysis and diagnosis tool for industrial company products. It can be used by a company to discover its strong and weak points and also by public administration bodies to carry out regional and sectoral studies that provide information on which guidelines for action can be based. This tool has been tested in the analysis and diagnosis of industrial products in the autonomous community of Navarre, a Spanish region of 10,400 Km² that shares a border with France to the north. Navarre is one of the most developed regions of the Spanish state, contributing 1.6%: of national GDP with a population of 550,000 (1.3% of the census). Industry is the key sector in the region|s economy, representing 34.5% of regional GDP in comparison with the 27.7% average for the country as a whole. The main sectors are vehicles, food and drink, metal products and machinery manufacture. Industries in Navarre tend to be small and undertake a low level of product design and development, so a diagnosis of the situation is of considerable interest.

Keywords: product innovation; regional development; models of analysis and diagnosis applied to industrial products; small and medium-sized companies; SMEs; Spain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2003.003525

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2003 Vol.3 No.4, pp.403 - 414

Published online: 12 Sep 2003 *

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