025-1065

The firm’s operational capability and innovation: Comparative studies of innovative firms from the south of Brazil.

PAULO ANTÔNIO ZAWISLAK
Graduate Center on Business Administration Management School
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Rua Washington Luiz, 855,
Porto Alegre, RS, 90.010-000, Brazil paz@ea.ufrgs.br ANTÔNIO DOMINGOS PADULA
Graduate Center on Business Administration Management School
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Rua Washington Luiz, 855,
Porto Alegre, RS, 90.010-000, Brazil apadula@ea.ufrgs.br LÁZARO SUMBA QUIMI
Graduate Center on Business Administration Management School
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Rua Washington Luiz, 855,
Porto Alegre, RS, 90.010-000, Brazil lsumba@hotmail.com CAROLINE PRATES
Graduate Center on Business Administration Management School
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Rua Washington Luiz, 855,
Porto Alegre, RS, 90.010-000, Brazil carol.prates@ibest.com.br POMS 23rd
Annual Conference
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
April 20 to April 23, 2011

The firm’s operational capability and innovation: Comparative studies of innovative firms from the south of Brazil.
Abstract:
In emergent economies, firm’s innovation is often a survival issue. This research is focused on the operational capability concept and it is intended to explain, in a comprehensive way, how this capability matters and supports innovation. This paper analyzes firms, which working under standard technology, innovate and export.
Key words: Brazil; Innovation; Operational capability; Innovation capability

1

Introduction
Nowadays, innovation is a key issue in the business field, especialty if the context is an

emerging country like Brazil. As an important market or as a major trading partner, Brazil is at the heart of global concern. Within this competitive context, to satisfy domestic