Abstract Purpose This paper aims to study whether Peruvian manufacturing firms that implement innovation have positive performance and whether R&D activities moderate these relationships. Design/methodology/approach Using a data set of Peruvian manufacturing firms from the 2018 National Survey of Innovation, a LOGIT model analysis was applied to 774 companies. In addition, the authors fitted different models into subsamples to explore the moderating effects of R&D on manufacturing firms. Finally, the regression models were computed using R software. Findings The results indicate that product, service and marketing innovation are associated positively with an increase in market share, while process and organizational innovations are associated positively with productivity. Moreover, companies with R&D are more productivity-oriented than companies without R&D. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the literature on innovation management by supporting the assumption that innovation results in increased productivity and expands market demand. In addition, findings highlight that R&D is essential for boosting firms’ productivity. Practical implications Managers should consider an appropriate combination of the innovation portfolio and R&D investments to make progress and increase performance in the company. In addition, policymakers should consider that investments to promote the development of R&D activities in manufacturing companies will likely lead to médium- or long-term returns. Social implications The correct use of indicators to measure these relationships could help the policymaker to design and measure policy instruments more efficiently. Originality/value These results provide a deeper understanding of how the effects of innovations implemented by manufacturing firms, especially service and process innovation, improve their performance.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os efeitos dos KIBS nos resultados de inovação em microempresas fabricantes de máquinas-ferramenta de acordo com as categorias de KIBS. Referencial teórico Este artigo não apenas contribui para a teoria do processo de inovação, reforçando os argumentos de que as microempresas podem alcançar inovações, mas também reitera que os KIBS têm uma influência positiva na inovação tecnológica e não tecnológica nas empresas manufatureiras. Metodologia Para atingir o objetivo do estudo, o teste U de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado como técnica de análise. Uma pesquisa foi realizada para coletar os dados de 40 microempresas fabricantes de máquinas-ferramenta no País Basco (Espanha) e em Emilia-Romagna (Itália). Resultados Os resultados sugerem que os KIBS têm efeitos positivos sobre as inovações nas empresas fabricantes. No entanto, existem diferenças de acordo com as categorias de KIBS. Os T-KIBS, por exemplo, são propensas à inovação tecnológica, ao passo que os P-KIBS e os C-KIBS afetam a inovação não tecnológica. Além disso, os serviços de TIC também têm uma relação positiva com a inovação não tecnológica. Concluímos destacando a importância dos T-KIBS para o enfrentamento dos desafios da Indústria 4.0 e a necessidade de pesquisas adicionais para determinar o papel dos KIBS no contexto da Quarta Revolução Industrial. Implicações práticas e sociais da pesquisa As microempresas precisam aumentar sua capacidade de absorção, aumentando os investimentos em TIC e P&D, para enfrentar os desafios da Indústria 4.0, e diante do fato de a indústria estar começando a incorporar cada vez mais conhecimento codificado de base científica. Talvez contratar os T-KIBS seja uma decisão adequada para as microempresas. Contribuição Este estudo contribui para o avanço da pesquisa sobre diferentes categorias de KIBS e seus efeitos na inovação das empresas manufatureiras, especialmente em microempresas fabricantes de máquinas-ferramenta.

Abstract Purpose This study aims to evaluate the effects of KIBS on innovation outcomes in micro firms that build machine tools according to the categories of KIBS. Theoretical framework This article not only contributes to the theory on the innovation process by reinforcing the arguments that micro firms can achieve innovations, but also to the idea that KIBS have a positive influence on technological and non-technological innovation in manufacturing firms. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the objective of the study, the Mann-Whitney U Test was used as the analysis technique. A survey was carried out to collect data from 40 micro firms that build machine tools located in the Basque Country (Spain) and Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Findings The results suggest that KIBS have positive effects on innovations in manufacturing firms. However, there are differences according to the categories of KIBS. For instance, T-KIBS favour technological innovation, while P-KIBS and C-KIBS affect non-technological innovation. In addition, ICT services also have a positive relationship with non-technological innovation. We conclude by highlighting the importance of T-KIBS to confront the challenges of Industry 4.0 and the need for further research to determine the role of KIBS in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Practical & social implications of the research Micro firms need to enhance their absorptive capacity by increasing ICT and R&D investments, to confront the challenges of Industry 4.0, and given the fact that industry is beginning to incorporate more and more codified science-based knowledge. Perhaps hiring T-KIBS would be an appropriate decision for micro firms. Originality/value This study contributes to the advancement of research involving different category of KIBS and their effects on manufacturing firms’ innovation, especially in micro firms that build machine tools.

RESUMEN La mayoría de la investigación en innovación se enfoca en países desarrollados, creando un vacío en la literatura relacionada a los procesos de innovación en mercados emergentes, tales como América Latina. Incluso cuando algunos estudios apuntan a esta región, estos solo se aproximan desde la perspectiva de fondos para I+D. Este artículo apunta a discutir la relación entre los recursos para la innovación y las fuentes de innovación con sus resultados, usando una muestra de empresas peruanas que recibieron fondos públicos orientados al desarrollo de actividades innovadoras. Los resultados muestran que los recursos para la innovación y las fuentes de innovación tienen influencia positiva en los resultados de innovación. Además, los recursos para la innovación están relacionados con la innovación no tecnológica, siendo el I+D interno el más usado por las empresas incluso cuando este no está relacionado con la innovación de producto o de proceso; mientras que las fuentes de la innovación están relacionadas con la innovación del producto, aunque las empresas demostraron un uso incipiente de estrategias colaborativas como fuente para ello.

ABSTRACT Most innovation research has been primarily focused on developed countries, creating a gap in the literature related to innovation processes in emerging markets, such as Latin America. Even as some studies aim at this region, their approach is usually conducted from the standpoint of a R+D funding perspective only. This paper aims to discuss the relationship between resources for innovation and sources of innovation with innovation outcomes, using a sample of Peruvian companies that received public funds for the development of innovative activities. This study found evidence that resources for innovation and sources of innovation have a positive influence on innovation outcomes. Moreover, resources for innovation are related to non-technological innovation, although internal R+D is the most frequently used by companies, even when it is not related to product, nor to process innovation. Sources of innovation are related to product innovation and firms have shown an incipient use of inter-firm collaboration strategies to gain access to them.

RESUMEN: La fase temprana del proceso de innovación se caracteriza por presentar una alta in-certidumbre, por lo que las empresas tienen que encontrar nuevas oportunidades de productos y definir su propuesta de valor. A pesar de que existe una amplia literatura que aborda la evaluación del proceso de innovación, aún son escasos los estudios que se centran en la evaluación de la fase temprana. Nuestros resultados evidencian que el uso de herramientas de apoyo para la gestión de la fase temprana del proceso de innovación tiene una influencia positiva sobre la innovación del producto. El análisis es llevado a cabo sobre la base de una triangulación metodológica secuencial, debido al pequeño tamaño de la muestra que es de 84 empresas innovadoras peruanas.

RÉSUMÉ: La phase initiale du processus d'innovation se caractérise par une incertitude élevée, de sorte que les entreprises doivent trouver de nouvelles opportunités de produits et définir leur proposition de valeur. Bien qu'il existe une abondante littérature autour de l'évaluation du processus d'innovation, il y a encore peu d'études qui se concentrent sur l'évaluation de la phase initiale. Nos résultats montrent que l'utilisation d'outils d'accompagnement pour la gestion de la première phase du processus d'innovation a une influence positive sur l'innovation produit. L'analyse s'est réalisée sur la base d'une triangulation méthodologique séquentielle, en raison de la petite taille de l'échantillon de 84 entreprises péruviennes innovantes.

ABSTRACT: The early stage of the innovation process is characterized by a great level of uncertainty. Therefore, companies must find new product opportunities and define their value proposition. Although there is a large body of literature on the evaluation of the innovation process, few studies focus on the assessment of its early phase. Our results show that the use of support tools for the management of the early phase of this process has a positive influence on product innovation. The analysis was carried out based on a sequential methodological triangulation, due to the small sample size of 84 Peruvian innovative companies.

RESUMO: A fase inicial do processo de inovação é caracterizada por apresentar alta incerteza, devido a que as empresas têm que encontrar novas oportunidades de produtos e definir sua proposta de valor. Embora exista ampla literatura que aborda a avaliação do processo de inovação, ainda são escassos os estudos que se focam na avaliação da fase inicial. Nossos resultados evidenciam que o uso de ferramentas de apoio para a gestão dessa fase do processo tem uma influência positiva sobre a inovação do produto. A análise é realizada sobre a base de uma triangulação metodológica sequen-cial, tendo em vista o pequeno tamanho da amostra, que é de 84 empresas inovadoras peruanas.