Title: The Rasch model applied to the attitudes towards change and innovation in commercial enterprises in the Canary Islands: a comparison with other sectors

Authors: Jaime Febles; Zamira Acosta

Addresses: Departamento de Economía y Dirección de Empresas, Universidad de La Laguna, Camino de la Hornera, s/n, Campus de Guajara 38071 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain ' Departamento de Economía y Dirección de Empresas, Universidad de La Laguna, Camino de la Hornera, s/n, Campus de Guajara 38071 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Abstract: This study assesses the attitudes of Canary Island enterprises towards innovation through a sectoral comparison, focusing especially on the commercial sub-sector. Furthermore, the study explores degrees of innovation according to prevailing attitudes, not only analysing the importance placed on it, but also evaluating its disruptive or incremental nature. The Rasch Model is the tool used to measure these variables, making possible to obtain the estimates and conclusions. We observe a global rejection of innovation that involves creating and developing new products, services or new markets vs. incremental innovation. However, it is important to note significant differences in progressive innovation, particularly in the organisational aspects of the processes.

Keywords: attitudes; critical factors; innovation; profiles; Rasch model; competition; commercial enterprises; Canary Islands.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBCG.2012.047826

International Journal of Business Competition and Growth, 2012 Vol.2 No.3, pp.273 - 289

Published online: 15 Nov 2014 *

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