Developing world market-leading companies – innovation governance in German small and medium-sized enterprises Online publication date: Thu, 15-Apr-2010
by Harald Dolles
International Journal of Business Environment (IJBE), Vol. 3, No. 2, 2010
Abstract: A high density of highly innovative world market-leading small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) can be found in the rural region Heilbronn-Franconia of Germany. Those are commonly named as 'German hidden champions'. This research aims to reveal factors that influence their innovation governance structure, by examining the firm's characteristics, HRM, organisational structures and leadership styles. All four influencing factors have been explored through semi-structured qualitative interviews with the owners or top-managers of the firms. For evaluation, a qualitative content analysis based on Mayring's suggestions was implemented using NVivo8. With regards to fostering innovation a strong sense of entrepreneurial activity and visionary leadership; emphasis on local recruitment strategies, retention programs and employees' involvement in business processes; formalised innovation processes; informal networks; rigorous knowledge management and open communication modes were discovered.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
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 Business Environment (IJBE):
Login with your Inderscience username and 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
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook