Critical success factors for the innovativeness of the electronic industry: An analysis in developed and developing countries

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of critical success factors (CSFs) on the innovativeness of the electronic industry. We propose a novel conceptual model. To validate the model, we used structural equation modelling. Data were collected in a survey with 261 responses from companies in Brazil, Canada and the USA. A multigroup analysis was carried out. The results for the whole sample show that all the CSF investigated have a positive and significant influence at 1% on innovativeness, with the greatest influence obtained by the construct innovative culture and strategy, followed by research and development infrastructure, management knowledge and the innovative environment. The originality lies (1) in a proposition of a novel theoretical model that investigates both the individual effect and joint action of the constructs related to CSF, in a broader set of CSF; (2) in a deeper analysis of the relationship between innovativeness with the innovation performance of organizations in the electronic industry; (3) in a different dimension of analysis comparison considering three different innovation systems; and (4) in a managerial contribution by encouraging the construction of an organizational culture that has as its values the constant search for innovation and for encouraging the creation of innovative solutions.