German Business in China – Greater Shanghai Innovation Survey 2018/19
Top Innovators
Innovation is considered one of the main drivers of competitiveness and long-term
corporate success. Empirical research shows a positive correlation between innovation
and company performance 1 and, as the results of this survey confirm, innovation
performance is positively related to sales growth. Innovative companies demonstrate an
above average sales growth within their industry in the past three years.
We used six indicators to measure innovation performance of the surveyed manufacturing
companies. These six indicators all measure innovation output in terms of quantity,
quality, timing, and speed.
Innovation scope
(1) Types of innovation practiced in the organization
Product / process innovation
(2) Number of new products/services launched in the last three years compared
to competitors
(3) Number of changes in processes in the last three years compared to
competitors
(4) Launch of innovative business models in the last three years compared to
competitors
Pioneer disposition
(5) Pioneer disposition to introduce new products/services in the last three years
compared to competitors
Speed
(6) Time to market of an average product/innovation in comparison to industry
average
Based on the respondents' self-assessed performance within these six
indicators, we have identified the 20% best-in-class innovators – the
so-called Top Innovators. Throughout the survey, we have specifically
considered what Top Innovators do that differentiates these companies
from less innovative companies.
1
Prajogo (2006)
8