Innovative activity in Canadian food processing establishments: the importance of engineering practices
by John Baldwin, David Sabourin
International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Vol. 20, No. 5/6/7/8, 2000

Abstract: This paper examines the factors contributing to innovative activity in the Canadian food-processing sector. Several factors relating to innovation are considered. Firstly, it focuses not only on the importance of research and development activity but also on advanced business practices used by production and engineering departments. Secondly, it examines the extent to which a larger firm size and less competition serve to stimulate competition - the so-called Schumpeterian hypothesis. Thirdly, the effect of the nationality of a firm on innovation is also investigated. Fourthly, industry effects are examined. The paper finds that business practices are significantly related to the probability that a firm is innovative. This is also the case for R&D. Size effects are significant, particularly for process innovations. Elsewhere, their effect is greatly diminished once business practices are included. Foreign ownership is significant only for process-only innovations. Competition matters, more so for product than for process innovations. Establishments in the ''other'' food products industry tend to lead the industry average when it comes to innovation, whereas fish product plants tend to lag behind the industry average.

Online publication date: Mon, 07-Jul-2003

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com