Évaluation du risque lié à une innovation pour les PME: proposition d'un outil

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are frequently associated with high levels of innovation and a commitment to innovative behaviour as a means of achieving competitive advantage. However, it is difficult for the entrepreneurial managers of such SMEs to fully assess the merits of a particular innovation, particularly in relation to its risk-return trade off. To address this need, we have commenced in 2002, in conjunction with INPI, the development of a screening tool designed to assist entrepreneurs evalutae the risk-return profile of future innovaiton investment. The preliminary model developed measures the anticipated "rent" or financial return expected from a particular investment in an innovation. During 2003, we further developed the tool with a pilot survey of small innovative firms in Western Australia. An additional component of the study sought to determine the relative influences of Attitude and Subjective Norm on the decision-making process of the entrepreneur. The aim of the study is to propose more evaluation criteria for the management process of innovation.