Análisis de la innovación de las empresas ecuatorianas durante el periodo 2012 - 2014.

Abstract

Business innovation is the result of a continuous social process in businesses as they undergo decision making to introduce new products or features or manufacturing methods. Companies play a key role in the economic growth of a country as they have direct contact with the market and are able to recognize its needs. Ecuador is not an exception in this regard: according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, between the years 2009 and 2014, the overall spending in innovation for the country increased by 82.18%, which proves the companies’ interest in innovating. The objective of this study is to analyze innovation in Ecuadorian companies during 2012-2014, as well as identifying the factors affecting the management’s decisions regarding innovation. For this purpose, a probability model (Probit) was estimated using data from the National Survey for Innovation Activities (AI), which is part of the National Survey of Activities for Science, Technology and Innovation (ACTI) (2012-2014). The results obtained suggest that companies which perform business cooperation, market studies, acquisition of machinery and equipment, staff training, research on demand, have a greater probability of innovating. Similarly, characteristics such as: seniority, the manufacturing sector, services, oil and mining, province location and knowledge on patents and variations in number of employees, all increase the likelihood of innovation for new goods or services.