Researching SME: dilemmas of studies on innovations and international comparisons

Problems of investigation of innovativeness of small and medium-size enterprises (SME) are discussed in this paper. It is observed that most of these problems stem from deficiency of interpretation of studied objects, innovativeness, entrepreneurship, and unclear objectives of projects that have been carried out. Some suggestions regarding elimination of such problems have been formulated and ideas that may assist in drawing conclusions from the vast amount of information and current knowledge are provided

Underlying issues in perceptions of innovativeness in SMES: Canada-Poland comparisons

Results of a study on the perceptions of benefits of innovations and these pertaining to business success by owners (or their representatives) of SMEs in Canada and in Poland have been described. These results are from a random sample questionnaire-style study. Assessments of advantages of innovations, their imperatives, and reasons for being innovative, are explored. Several generalizations, regarding perceptions, in the above specified areas, have been presented

National technology policies and stability of NTS indexes

The paper examines stability of Indexes of systems, which are used, at a country level, in order to develop technology. It is shown, based on statistical analyses of data from 1993 through 1997, that the set of variables, which form the model of National Technology System (NTS), is stable over the studied period of time. As well, stable are country membership in clusters, which characterize similar technology policies, factors that describe NTS, and finally NTS Indexes. The impact of these findings upon further studies is explored

S&T rankings: do countries change the level of their technological competitiveness?

The paper examines stability of rankings of National Technology Systems (NTS). It is shown, based on statistical analyses of data from 1993 through 1997, that rankings of NTS have remained stable over the investigated period of time. This finding validates the NTS model used in the study. The leading indicators and proxies of these indicators have been identifie

Composite Indexes Economic and Social Performance: Do they Provide Valuable Information?

This paper examines the information content of the selected composite indexes, namely the Global Competitiveness Report Index, the Human Development Index, the Knowledge Economy Index, the Innovation Union Scoreboard, and the like. These indexes are examined from the viewpoint of country rankings. It is argued that these indexes provide highly similar information, which brings to question the usefulness of such a variety of approaches. This paper also explores the drawbacks of composite indexes, and questions whether these indexes can adequately serve as policy-setting mechanisms

‘Old’ organizational paradigms die hard: ‘New’ organizational paradigms may denote opportunities

This paper explores selected aspects of sustainability and organizational paradigms. In a more simple interpretation: how can we benefit from accumulated experience, even when the situation and context of operation changes? First, interpretations of paradigms are discussed, and their importance are emphasized. It is argued that paradigms, in the “Kuhn” sense, can be regarded valid in the natural sciences. Yet it is questionable whether they apply to social sciences, or in our everyday life. A discussion of ‘paradigms’ may also deal with context when little remains constant (eg.business), and when theories are contingent upon circumstances. From such a perspective a discussion concerning the existence of classical ‘paradigms’ in organizational theory is conducted, including examples of how difficult it is for some “organizational paradigms” to disappear. This outline is followed by examples of newly created paradigms that revolutionize our life. These new paradigms bring glory and fortunes to their authors; yet the same was true of paradigms that were valid decades or centuries ago. There are also “life (or personal) paradigms”, relative to small issues, which mark somewhat a shift from the world of micro-economy, to daily reality. The specific importance of these micro rules is explored based on incident related to the scholarly achievements of Professor Wiesław Grudzewski

Technical Efficiency of Innovations in Poland from EU Perspective

This paper presents the results of an assessment of technical efficiency of innovations in European Union. Data Envelopment Analysis was used to investigate this subject. Results of simulation experiments were used to anticipate possible suggestions regarding policy measures that may be considered when exploring means to improve the Polish performance. Polish technical efficiency of innovations is below that in the European Union. Poland operates decreasing returns to scale. Special attention should be directed to education, research, and support to SMEs. It is essential to undertake legal changes relative to innovation activities and the attitudes of Poles towards innovativeness in order to improve results. In general the national Innovation System needs to be corrected [or improved]. The key aspect of improvement rests with congestion: overinvestment or inappropriate use of resources. Suggestions for further research of the subject and improvement of the National Innovation System are presented.W opracowaniu tym przedstawiono wnioski z oceny technicznej sprawności innowacji w krajach Europy. W analizie wykorzystano metodę Data Envelopment Analysis, wspierając ją symulacją dla wskazania zakresów działań proinnowacyjnych, które charakteryzują się niską sprawnością realizacji. Techniczna sprawność innowacji w Polsce jest niższa niż innych krajów w analizowanym zbiorze. Polska działa w obszarze zmniejszających się zwrotów z tytułu skali. Szczególną uwagę poświęcić należy edukacji, badaniom i wspieraniu MŚP. Należy podjąć działania w kierunku zmiany obecnego systemu prawnego i nastawienia Polaków do innowacji, jeżeli oczekuje się poprawy sprawności działań proinnowacyjnych w przyszłości. Aby poprawić techniczną sprawność innowacji w Polsce, należy również usprawnić Narodowy System Innowacyjności. Podstawowym czynnikiem obniżającym techniczną sprawność innowacji w Polsce jest przeinwestowanie (i/lub marnotrawstwo nakładów na innowacje). W podsumowaniu podano sugestie kierunków dalszych prac badawczych nad poprawą funkcjonowania Narodowego Systemu Innowacyjności

Reflections on Discussions About Technical Efficiency of Innovativeness of Countries

The objective of this article is to outline various drawbacks of the studies on technical efficiency of pro-innovation activities at a national level. A better awareness of existing constraints may assist the readers and reviewers of the relative reports in a more critical assessment of the presented results and help in planning the research. This article outlines several methodological problems faced with conducting research on the technical efficiency of innovations. On the basis of the review of the subject-related literature, as well as press releases, numerous restraints prevailing in the currently used research approaches are presented. Some of these precincts are evidenced in the used methods: other may be rooted in the non-scientifically related intentions of the authors. Frequently, observations may drive the audience to the incorrect conclusions and opinions. The awareness of the consequences of these limitations may serve as a warning about the reliability of the results, their applicability for crafting policies, and country-to-country comparisons. However, various limitations originate from the very nature of the theme. Several propositions are specified about items to be kept in mind in order to minimize the negative impact caused by existing drawbacks. These may serve as a guide to formulate research questions and hypotheses for verification in further studies. While each of the propositions stated independently may be labeled obvious, their simultaneous review many contribute to the streamlining further research and in the improvement of the quality of suggestions arrived at. The conclusions from the article may also pinpoint to these methodological issues that cause some of the publications on the subject to be of questionable value

Key Issues in Quality Improvement

Wojciech Nasierowski is an Associate Professor of Business Policy at the University of New Brunswick

Criteria for the Selection of Tourism Destinations by Students from Different Countries

The objective of this paper is to identify selected aspects of the management of information about prospective tourist destinations by young people (students) from Canada, Poland, and Trinidad and Tobago. On the basis of a questionnaire study, the ranking of preferences of respondents (i.e., the main criteria of destination choice) has been presented. Students were selected as respondents - as a “convenient sample” - in this privately funded study. A variety of aspects related to comfort (and convenience) and attractiveness have been identified as most important to the choice of destination. These are also leading motives that may form a platform for advertising campaigns and suggestions for regional development. This examination has been done mainly with the use of analysis of averages, Spearman correlation coefficients, and various approaches to factor analysis. It turns out that despite very different characteristics of respondents from the three countries, both their preferences and motives for promotion of the destination are very similar. Conclusions can be helpful for travel agencies and those responsible for the development of tourism infrastructure, as well as for the organization of further studies on the subject. The combination of various statistical tools used when examining the subject and the finding - that is, the similarity of preferences between travelers - can be regarded as new value when examining the subject