Title: Mechanisms for engineers to promote product and process innovation: Thai manufacturing context

Authors: Kimseng Tieng; Amna Javed; Chawalit Jeenanunta; Youji Kohda

Addresses: School of Management Technology, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, 131 M. 5 Tiwanont Rd. Bangkadi, Muang, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand; School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa, 923-1292, Japan ' School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan ' School of Management Technology, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, 131 M. 5 Tiwanont Rd. Bangkadi, Muang, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand ' School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan

Abstract: Engineers are crucial for upgrading a firm's technological capabilities and promoting innovation. This study empirically investigated the effects of engineer problem-solving capabilities (antecedent variable) on product and process innovation, using engineer managerial capabilities and engineer involvement in innovative activities with other departments as the main mediators. A parallel multiple mediation model was designed and run on PROCESS macro to analyse 189 respondents. The data was collected from manufacturing firms located in the Bangkok metropolitan area from December 2016 to January 2017. The results indicate that engineer problem-solving capabilities significantly, positively, and directly affect product innovation, and the proposed mediators do not function as a mechanism between the antecedent variable and product innovation. Meanwhile, engineer problem-solving capabilities indirectly affect process innovation, in which engineer involvement in innovative activities with other departments functions as the main mediator. However, there is insufficient evidence to claim the significant role of engineer managerial capabilities as the mediator between the antecedent variable and process innovation.

Keywords: engineer problem-solving capabilities; engineer managerial capabilities; engineer involvement in innovative activities with other departments; product innovation; process innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2021.113851

International Journal of Management Practice, 2021 Vol.14 No.2, pp.146 - 173

Received: 06 Jul 2019
Accepted: 03 Aug 2020
Published online: 31 Mar 2021 *

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