Training micro‐business owner‐managers: a challenge to current approaches

Managerial capability for innovation for microfirms: integrating theory with empirical evidence

The research considers a recently developed model of managerial capability for innovation in the microfirm context. Microfirms are firms employing less than 10 people. The research takes an interpretivist methodological approach based on a pilot study of five in-depth interviews with owner/managers of tourism microfirms. Findings indicate the incremental nature of innovation; the importance of aspects of managerial capability in the guise of leadership, operational capability, strategic thinking and the development of relationships with people. Innovation is shown to emerge through the interaction of aspects of managerial capability and key resource pools. The empirical research results in a refined model of managerial capability for innovation in context. A contribution to microfirm management practice is made through providing a model of managerial capability which can be used to improve the competitiveness of microfirms in the tourism industry. Allied to this contribution it is suggested that policy makers can use the model through further dissemination of their efforts to develop industry best practice. Recommendations for future empirical research based on an expanded microfirm study are suggested.

Exploiting managerial capability for innovation in a micro-firm context

Purpose

– The paper has been developed from a critical review of available literature drawn from the micro firm, managerial capability and innovation management fields. The paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper has been developed from a critical review of available literature drawn from the micro firm, managerial capability and innovation management fields.

Findings

– Four criteria of micro firm managerial capability emerge from micro firm managerial traits in the literature namely, leadership; strategic thinking; problem solving and people relationships. The review also shows that micro firms are embedded in three resource pools which include stakeholder ties; the local community and the proximate market environment. Micro firm managerial capability is argued to emerge from the interaction of the managerial capability criteria and the resources in a process mediated by the resource based and dynamic capabilities perspectives from the strategic management literature.

Research limitations/implications

– A gap in the academic literature is identified and the proposed theoretical model is presented to address this deficiency in the literature. Future empirical research is recommended.

Practical implications

– This proposed model will allow practitioners to better conceptualise and design programmes that will assist companies in developing managerial capabilities to innovate. Deep links between hotel industry practitioners and the academic community will enable the effective dissemination of the research.

Originality/value

– Hotel micro firms play an important social and economic role. There has been little research into how they innovate and specifically into managerial capability for innovation in context. The present research uses conceptual research to map the field and identify critical avenues for future research.