Title: Complementary relationship between types of innovation in SMEs: the context of Kosovo

Authors: Lura Rexhepi Mahmutaj; Slavica Rocheska; Besnik A. Krasniqi

Addresses: Faculty of Economics, University of Prishtina 'Hasan Prishtina', Prishtina, Kosovo ' Faculty of Economics Prilep, University 'St. Kliment Ohridski', Bitola, Macedonia ' Faculty of Economics, University of Prishtina 'Hasan Prishtina', Prishtina, Kosovo

Abstract: Complementary innovations within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been a subject of great interest among authors. This study aims to examine the complementary of different types of innovations with specific focus on SMEs in the Kosovo market. The empirical bases for this analysis are derived from 24 qualitative case studies from innovative SMEs in Kosovo, coming from service, manufacturing and trade sectors by using NVivo software. The majority of interviewed enterprises developed two innovations simultaneously, meaning that the introduction of one innovation led to the introduction of another one. Product and process innovations are complementary in most of the cases, and the firm prefers a simultaneous adoption. Nevertheless, the findings show that in few cases, there is a combination of other types of innovations.

Keywords: complementarity; innovation; small and medium enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2021.115361

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2021 Vol.43 No.2, pp.252 - 286

Received: 21 Sep 2018
Accepted: 22 Jan 2019
Published online: 01 Jun 2021 *

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