Title: Innovation as a driver for organisational strategy

Authors: João Conrado De Amorim Carvalho; Maria José Madeira

Addresses: Departamento de Ciências Contábeis, Unidade de Ensino Superior Dom Bosco (UNDB), Av. Colares Moreira, 443, 65075-441 São Luís, MA, Brazil ' NECE-UBI Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI), Rua Marquês d'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

Abstract: In recent years companies have been severely affected by economic crises. Surviving and achieving some performance has become the main concern of managers. The literature points to innovation as a driver capable of generating competitive advantage for companies. However, understanding how companies perceive contingencies and manage to anticipate in order to overcome obstacles has become the main concern of this work. To answer this question, a research was undertaken in companies located in one of the poorest regions of Brazil. The data collected were treated by means of factorial analysis. The obtained results show that the changes caused in the external environment are perceived through the company's network contacts. With the support of top management, employees develop innovative situations capable of generating the competitive advantage necessary for strategic success.

Keywords: innovation; strategy; fit; performance; network; diversification; driver; contingency; crises; turbulence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2020.105082

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2020 Vol.27 No.2, pp.159 - 174

Received: 19 Dec 2018
Accepted: 02 Jun 2019
Published online: 12 Feb 2020 *

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