The new product or service development (NPD/NSD) process is
arguably the most important dynamic capability within a firm,
with success at innovation being vital not only for firm success
but also for survival. Despite this, little is known about innovation
in Ireland; specifically, about how organisations manage for
innovation. Auditing 347 firms across numerous sectors in Ireland
our research finds that the majority of firms do not have a formal
innovation process with service sector firms being the least likely
to have a formalised process. Yet, clear evidence of the benefits of
having an innovation process exist, with these being most evident
in the launch and diffusion of innovations. At the same time, firms
without a process are more successful in the ideation, or idea
generation phase with these firms also having a better record in
creating ‘new to the market’ ideas than firms who conform to an
a-priori process
