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Wearing failure as a path to innovation

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  • Ferreira, João J.M.
  • Fernandes, Cristina I.
  • Ferreira, Fernando A.F.

Abstract

Innovation is a widely acknowledged key component of corporate performance management. However, most of the literature on this topic has tended to focus on determinants of corporate failure, thereby neglecting to look at the role of innovation failure in triggering innovative initiatives. By using a sample of companies covered by 2014 Community Innovation Survey data and applying econometric models, this study sought to analyze the impacts of innovative project failure. The results show that innovation failure is negatively correlated with companies’ experience and acquisition of external knowledge. The main findings are consistent with the scarce literature on this research topic, and highlight the positive role that companies’ accumulated experience has in their assimilation of knowledge flows.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferreira, João J.M. & Fernandes, Cristina I. & Ferreira, Fernando A.F., 2020. "Wearing failure as a path to innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 195-202.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:120:y:2020:i:c:p:195-202
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.08.006
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    3. Appio, Francesco Paolo & Capo, Francesca & Annosi, Maria Carmela, 2024. "Not all (innovation) failures are created equal: A typology of companies’ responses to the consequences of innovation failure," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    4. Natália Lima Figueiredo & Cristina I. Fernandes & José Luis Abrantes, 2023. "Triple Helix Model: Cooperation in Knowledge Creation," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(2), pages 854-878, June.
    5. Tan, Zhidong & Yan, Lina, 2021. "Does air pollution impede corporate innovation?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 937-951.
    6. Freisinger, Elena & McCarthy, Ian P., 2024. "What fails and when? A process view of innovation failure," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    7. Balzano, Marco & Marzi, Giacomo, 2023. "Exploring the pathways of learning from project failure and success in new product development teams," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    8. Williams, Allan M. & Rodríguez Sánchez, Isabel, 2024. "Knowledge mobility after tourism entrepreneurial failure: Life after death?," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    9. Coccia, Mario, 2023. "New Perspectives in Innovation Failure Analysis: A taxonomy of general errors and strategic management for reducing risks," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    10. Ferreira, João J.M. & Fernandes, Cristina I. & Veiga, Pedro Mota, 2024. "The effects of knowledge spillovers, digital capabilities, and innovation on firm performance: A moderated mediation model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    11. Kuckertz, Andreas & Bulut, Cagri & Brändle, Leif, 2024. "Unobserved heterogeneity in firm performance: The alignment of entrepreneurial orientation and organizational error management culture," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
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    13. Shaik, Aqueeb Sohail & Alshibani, Safiya Mukhtar & Mishra, Shreya & Papa, Armando & Cuomo, Maria Teresa, 2023. "Does learning from innovation failure enhance innovation performance? A quantitative investigation of small businesses," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    14. Allal-Chérif, Oihab & Guijarro-Garcia, María & Ulrich, Klaus, 2022. "Fostering sustainable growth in aeronautics: Open social innovation, multifunctional team management, and collaborative governance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).

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