Perception on the innovative characteristics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) manufacturing firms in Peninsular Malaysia.

Yahya, A.Z. and Mail, R. and Othman, M.S. and Ibrahim, M.S. (2008) Perception on the innovative characteristics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) manufacturing firms in Peninsular Malaysia. In: International Borneo Business Conference 2008, 15-17 Dis 2008, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The main purpose of the paper is to attempt to explore the perception on the innovative characteristics of SMEs manufacturing firms based on three dimensions of a business: strategy, process and ways of working (culture). A survey of 60 Peninsular Malaysia-based manufacturing SMEs was conducted. In this study, a definition of innovation was established based on past studies and a systematic approach to measure company innovativeness was adopted. Ten indicators were used to measure company innovativeness. The top 20 per cent firms were compared with bottom 80 per cent firms in terms of product innovation management, process and work organisation. Means of responses were compared for two sets of companies. Tests were performed to draw some conclusions on the results. The results showed that the characteristics of more innovative SMEs manufacturing firms are perceived to be different in 10 variables as compared to the less innovative SMEs manufacturing firms. Among the variables that vary are: use of CAD, use of CAM, employee suggestion scheme, commitment to innovation, provided training for managers.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Small and medium enterprises; Manufacturing
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Divisions: Faculty of Business and Economics
Depositing User: Mr. Mohd Samsul Ismail
Date Deposited: 17 Jul 2014 07:12
Last Modified: 17 Jul 2014 07:12
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/10345

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