Innovation and Social, Environmental and Economic Performances in Msmes: An Empirical Approach

Abstract

Innovation actions represent business efforts to identify adaptive and proactive strategies and actions forward to the complexity of the business environment in order to improve organizational performance. Also, it is necessary to considerate the organizational performance based on the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, social and environmental). This study investigates the relationship between innovativeness and sustainable organizational performance (social, economic and environmental) in processing industries of Rio Grande do Sul. The survey was conducted with the participation of 140 companies. Hypothetical relations were investigated and estimated using correlation analysis and linear regression analysis. Results suggest the existence of a significant and positive impact of innovativeness on the environmental, social and economic performances, with a major impact on the environmental dimension. Also the results suggest that there is a strong interrelationship between the three dimensions of sustainable organizational performance.