Volume 4 - Volume 4
PRODUCT INNOVATION IN SMALL DAIRY INDUSTRIES
Abstract
Product innovation has received special attention in recent times, both the academic and business
worlds. This is due in part to the recognition that this can be an important source of competitive
advantage for companies. Another stimulus has been a growing demand from consumers for new
products. This paper studies the process of product innovation in the dairy industry, specifically in
the small, aimed at low-income consumers. This segment has had an increasing involvement in the
consumer market and attend their needs becomes fundamental to companies. The work was based
in-depth interviews with key managers of three companies of the center-west of Minas Gerais,
where was obtained information about the sector and the innovation process. The results show that,
despite recognizing the importance of innovation, companies do not have standardized processes
for product innovation, often relying on informality, which may compromise the results of this
activity, impairing organizational learning and innovation on an ongoing basis.
Paper Details
PaperID: p 744-763
Author's Name: Ramon Silva Leite and Marcelo de Rezende Pinto
Volume: Volume 4
Issues: Volume 4
Keywords: Innovation; dairy industry; low-income consumer.
Year: 2014
Month: June
Pages: 744-763