Exploring the Factors Hindering Innovation Projects within Romanian R&D Firms - a fsQCA Approach

Abstract

Product innovations developed internally or in collaboration with other organizations had a novelty character only for the companies included in our research sample, to a greater extent than for the market or markets on which the investigated companies operate. Causal configurations of factors that favour the focus of resources on incremental innovation at internal level have a greater impact than disruptive innovation. This study aims at exploring the impact of insufficient R&D dedicated funds, lack of qualified R&D staff, inability of firms to attract external R&D funding sources, difficulties in finding innovation cooperation partners, high innovation costs) on hindering innovation projects within Romanian companies, using a configurational approach. A major contribution of this study consists of explaining the strategic solutions conceived to minimize the effects of hindering innovation projects within companies with relevant R&D activities.