Abstract

SALAZAR, Mauren; ARZOLA, Minerva  and  PEREZ, Elvira. Innovation Management for SMIs in Ciudad Guayana. Revista Venezolana de Gerencia [online]. 2010, vol.15, n.51, pp.446-461. ISSN 1315-9984.

The objective of this project is to design a model to manage the innovation process in the small and medium industries, SMIs. This model will be applied to Ciudad Guayana, in the State of Bolivar, Venezuela. The study was developed in two phases. First, the existing theoretical bases about managing research, development and innovation, R&D&I, were analyzed, explaining their characteristics in the Venezuelan and world arenas and a diagnosis of innovative activities in 23 SMIs was performed. During the second phase, the model was designed and validated. According to the results, SMIs in Ciudad Guayana innovate in their products, with their own resources. They do not know about public programs that support innovation, and 75% of them invest about 5% of their sales in R&D&I. The proposed model for innovation is open and complete; simple and acceptable; robust and sensitive; self-reflective, applicable to the entire organization and carries a message. This model considers five aspects of innovation management: a Model for Innovation Processes and Systems, Management Responsibilities, Resource Administration, R&D&I Activities and Measurement, Analysis and Improvement.

Keywords : Management model; innovation; SMIs; R & D & I; Ciudad Guayana.