Measuring the probability of innovation in technology‐based companies

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of innovation of products, processes and services in technology‐based incubated companies. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of this review, the stages of development of companies incubated in the Incubating Center for Technological Companies São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed and through the integration of three different statistical techniques (factorial analysis, cluster analysis and logistic regression), a basis for analyses and considerations was obtained: the companies studied were segregated into clusters according to each one's stage of innovation. Findings A statistical model was estimated to calculate the probability of innovation of the companies – a methodological tool for evaluating the actual presence of innovation in technology‐based companies installed in incubators. Research limitations/implications Owing to the nature of the sample chosen, the results might not be generalized to broader or international contexts. Practical implications The estimated model should contribute as an analytical tool to incubators in evaluating the probability of innovation in technology‐based incubated companies. Social implications With the use of this analytical model, incubators should be more capable of developing strategies to stimulate innovation. Originality/value This paper reviews widely the contributions of authors concerning factors of innovation in order to present a model drawn from three different multivariate analyses. Furthermore, the theme of innovation assessment in technology‐based incubators has few contributions.