Innovation Strategies: An Analysis in Information Technology Startups

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14211/regepe.v9i3.1653

Keywords:

Innovation, Strategies for innovation, Startups, Open innovation practices, Internationalization

Abstract

Objective: Analyze the main innovation strategies used by information technology startups.

Methodology: A qualitative exploratory study was developed, with the evidence interpreted from the content analysis technique. Data collection took place through a semi-structured interview script applied to four managers (founders) of information technology startups, domiciled in the states of Sergipe, Maranhão and Ceará.

Main results: The main practices for promoting open innovation identified were partnerships with customers and organizations; and the least found strategy was internationalization.

Theoretical/Methodological contributions: This study contributes to the literature on the subject, confirming, through empirical evidence, that open innovation practices adopted by information technology startups are, primarily, partnerships, which follow an informal implementation, through knowledge and the skills offered by the parties involved, to overcome operational deficiencies and obtain specific learning. Another relevant finding was that non-collaboration with institutional actors favors the implementation of incremental innovations.

Relevance/Originality: Information technology startups are businesses that are known to be active in bringing innovations to the market. However, studies on innovation strategies in this type of business are still scarce and knowing the nature and ways of implementing these strategies is pertinent, since it can foster better results in innovation.

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Author Biographies

Ronalty Oliveira Rocha, Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS

Mestre em Administração pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração (PROPADM) da universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS. Professor do Departamento de Administração da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (DAD/UFS).

Maria Elena Leon Olave, Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS

Doutora em Engenhariada Produção pela Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo. Docente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração (PROPADM) da Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS.

Edward David Moreno Ordonez, Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS

Doutor em Engenharia Elétrica pela Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo. Docente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Computação (PROCC) da Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS.

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Published

2020-05-01

How to Cite

Rocha, R. O., Olave, M. E. L., & Ordonez, E. D. M. (2020). Innovation Strategies: An Analysis in Information Technology Startups. REGEPE Entrepreneurship and Small Business Journal, 9(3), 237–271. https://doi.org/10.14211/regepe.v9i3.1653

Issue

Section

Research article (Theoretical-empirical)