Entrepreneurial Orientation in Small Established Firms

While research findings have provided important insights on radical innovation for small start-ups and large established organizations, there is still a gap in knowledge on the ability of the well-established small firm to engage in radical innovation. This paper addresses this gap in knowledge by discussing how small established firms exhibit entrepreneurial orientation and how does this influence their involvement in development of radical innovation. Through the case studies it became apparent that the small established firms do embody several characteristics which can be associated both with the ability to be radical innovative as well as being able to exploit such innovation. Across the cases several patters of the influence of an entrepreneurial orientation in radical innovation processes have been identified. In particular it was illustrated how the use of pro-activeness, risk-taking and autonomy plays a very important role, and that the three dimensions are often intertwined.