The influence of continuous innovation on business performance: an empirical analysis of the "continuous innovation stool" model

Abstract

Continuous innovation (CI) is defined as the combination of operational,n innovation and strategic competences (Boer, 2001) in order to improve business performance. Balance between the 3 competences is reflected in CI stool, presented by Hyland & Boer (2006), which states that alignment, coordination and integration capabilities also play an important role in CI. This study pretends to build a complete overview about the CI concept. With this aim, first, the study provides a brief literature review on the concept innovation, and other related concepts such as exploitation, exploration and ambidexterity. Second, we revise the theoretical foundations of the “continuous innovation stool” of Hyland & Boer (2006). Finally it also analyzes empirically the CI stool based on an international sample of industrial firms. Findings show that operational competence (one of the three competences proposed in the CI stool model) is the only variable that has a significant influence in business performance. Therefore, it is needed a deeper research as so as can validate the theoretical model proposed in the continuous innovation stool.