Australian Innovation in Manufacturing: Results from an international survey (Research)
Aug 2006 |
Professor Mark Dodgson, Director, Technology and Innovation Management Centre, University of Queensland; Dr Peter Innes, University of Queensland
Professor Mark Dodgson and Dr Peter Innes of the University of Queensland Business School conducted an international comparison survey to guage the nature of innovation in small and medium sized manufacturing firms. This paper presents the Australian experience compared to the European findings. Although the survey found that some Australian firms adopted innovation practices for process improvement and cost reduction, overall there was a less strategic approach to innovation for longer term competitive advantage demonstrated by the Australian firms than by their European counterparts. Australian manufacturing firms risk being unable to compete with international competitors who have transformed their businesses to take advantage of market opportunities.
