5. Conclusion
Given the current global economic climate and the importance of SMEs for national economies, this study sought to develop a multiple criteria framework for the assessment of innovation capability within SMEs. We addressed the first research question posed (i.e. RQ1) through the combined use of cognitive mapping and the AHP. This methodological approach was selected because cognitive maps can identify evaluation criteria and the cause-and-effect relationships between them, while the AHP can calculate the trade-offs between these criteria. By following the methodological processes described in this paper, we were also able to answer the second research question (i.e. RQ2).
The proposed approach proved a useful way to evaluate SME innovation capability because the resulting collective cognitive map meant that the problem in question was structured clearly and the number of omitted criteria reduced. The AHP, in turn, allowed key evaluation criteria to be ordered and weighted. The results included a consensual assignment of the greatest weight (i.e. 35.993 percent) to CTR04 – employees – underlining that innovation processes need to be expanded based on human resources. This is an important point to be taken into consideration. Namely, the economic pressures that companies currently face lead to SME leadership’s higher expectations of employees (cf. Mittal and Dhar, 2015).
