Title: Proposition of a methodological framework for measuring innovation capacity of Tunisian companies

Authors: Helmi Ben Rejeb; Mohamed Arbi Ben Younes

Addresses: Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, ENIT, BP 37, 1002 Le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia ' Research and Innovation System Support Project (PASRI), National Agency for Scientific Research Promotion (ANPR), 06, rue Ibn Al Jazzar 1002 Lafayette, Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract: This paper proposes and experiments a framework for the evaluation of innovation capacity, in the context of Tunisian companies. A literature review of methodological frameworks for measuring innovation at the company level was carried out. Seven dimensions of innovation were identified, and additional three dimensions, considered potentially important in the context of Tunisian companies have been introduced (information and communication technologies (ICT), access to incentives and eco-innovation). A methodological innovation framework composed of 10 dimensions based on activities and leveraging best practices of innovation was proposed. Then, multi-criteria mathematical model was proposed in order in determine a composite index of innovation. Finally, a field study was carried out on Tunisian companies in order to experiment this model. Data were gathered from experts and companies thanks to interviews and online questionnaires. One key learning from this experiment is that the proposed method is useful for Tunisian companies and governmental stakeholders as a tool for strategic orientation and positioning regarding to the National Innovation System (NIS).

Keywords: innovation capacity; innovation measurement; innovation best practices; companies innovation capacity; multi-criteria decision aid; AHP; analytic hierarchy process; Tunisia; Tunisian companies; field study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2018.092295

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2018 Vol.18 No.2, pp.89 - 124

Received: 09 Nov 2016
Accepted: 06 Jun 2017
Published online: 14 Jun 2018 *

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