How Can Innovation Work For Micro-Firms: Research

‘Innovation Management’ Post-Graduate Specialist Diploma Studies at the University of Limerick, Ireland.

“How Can Innovation Work For Micro-Firms?” (2013-2014)

(aka Micro-Enterprise / Micro-Business)

 

Micro firms are normally characterised as some of the smallest of small to medium enterprises ( SMEs ), employing 10 or less employees.

Micro firms are often indigenous owner managed, family run commercial or social businesses, social enterprise or not-for-profit organisations.


The aim of the research is to question:

 

“What maybe a practical, cost-effective, good-practice innovation management approach best suited to micro-firms?”

Important Definitions and Distinctions:
Micro-firms
are defined as, firms employing 10 employees or less.
Innovation is defined as, the creation of new products, services or business processes for social or commercial gain.

An Approach to innovation or innovation approaches are defined as, a combination of project management, new product design and development, business process improvement and innovation management good practices, processes, methods, tools and techniques.

Research Materials:

Introductory Video Presentation – Click Here!

2 Minute Presentation – Click Here!

NEW! Battle cry goes out to small businesses – it’s time to innovate Click Here!
Published
by Johnston Publishing Ltd. (The Nationalist Newspaper)

How Can VoC Work For Micro Firms? – Click Here!
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(currently Under Construction)

Literary Review
Final Report
Summary Report
Presentations
Research Presentation Events Calendar

Case Studies / Sample Projects:

 

Team SonicWave:
Concept Model Presentation – Click Here!

The Jobs Factory:
Job Seeker Support Programme – Click Here!

 

Quotations and Insights:

“The mind-set and approach to micro enterprises that has got us to this point, is not the mind-set that will sustain or deliver significant growth in the future”

Sean McNulty – CEO of Dolmen – Design & Innovation

“Everyone can innovate’ and so, ‘all social and non-profit organisations can also innovate.  Only within the context of social innovation however can the majority focus entirely shift towards social outcomes, yielding not just new commercial opportunities, but also opportunities for new business models, social projects and sustainable job creation.”

Brendon McLoughlin

 A Special Thanks to:


Arclabs Research and Innovation Centre – Click Here!

Clonmel Chamber of Commerce – Click Here!

South Eastern BIC – Click Here!

South Tipperary Development Company – Click Here!

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland – Click Here!

WestBIC – Click Here!

Dolmen – Click Here!

Tipperary Volunteer Centre – Click Here!

And For Their Support:

Dr. Adele Smith – Project Supervisor – National University of Ireland, Galway

Joe O’Toole – Director – J and F Water Treatment

Learn More:

 

Contact_Innovation_Works