The Role of Technological Innovation Capabilities on Innovative Performance Promotion in Knowledge-Based Firms (Studying Firms in Science and Technology Park of Tehran University)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of technological innovation capabilities on innovation performance in Knowledge-Based Firms. Present study is an applied research in terms of purpose and in terms of data collecting way it is considered as a descriptive survey. The population in this study was Knowledge-Based Firms in Science and Technology Park of Tehran University and the sample size was 126 companies that to obtain this sample size random sampling method is used. The data collection tool in this study was a standard questionnaire and for reliability Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used. Structural equations modeling was used for examining of considered model. Finding in this paper show strategy planning, R&D, resource allocation, Marketing and learning capabilities can significantly improve the innovation. R&D and resource allocation capabilities can also significantly improve new product introduction. While Manufacturing and organizing capability is not affect significantly on innovation performance in Knowledge-Based Firms in Science and Technology Park of Tehran University. This study investigates the impact of technological innovation capabilities on innovative performance in knowledge-based companies.
Recently, attention has been paid to the concept of innovation system as an approach to performance analysis and policy making in the field of science, technology and innovation. The concept of innovation system and the presentation of policy strategies for the development of technology and innovation has been widely used in Iran (Mohammadi et al, 2015). Innovation is one of the main motivators for economic growth and value creation, especially by the advent of knowledge-based economy; innovation is a key factor in the success or failure of organizations in the field of competition as well as the main source of competitive advantage. For this reason, the number of studies on innovation is increasing every year (Rezvani & Toghrayee, 2011).
Meanwhile, knowledge-based companies must be given special attention because of their role in economic dynamism, employment and technological advancement. However, knowledge-based companies need to improve their innovative performance in order to survive in today's turbulent and competitive environment. Naturally, considering their field and type of activities, innovation is the best and most efficient means of staying in such an environment. For Iranian knowledge-based companies, improving innovative performance is essential for maintaining competitiveness, considering the importance of knowledge based companies in the scientific and technical advancement and the complexities and changing conditions governing their business environment.
The present study aims to show the impact of technological innovational capabilities on the innovative performance of knowledge-based companies. To answer this question, the impact of each of the factors representing the capabilities of technological innovation on innovative performance is studied to show which of the technological innovation capabilities affect the innovative performance of the companies located in Science and Technology Park of Tehran University.
Case study
Research population includes knowledge-based firms located in the Science and Technology Park of Tehran University. 155 companies are located in this park, among which 90 companies are developmental, 40 companies are growing and 25 are technologic-core companies. In this study, a standard questionnaire was used that included 57 questions to estimate the impact of technological innovation capabilities on innovative performance. For validity purpose, face validity and for reliability purpose Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used. For strategy planning, R&D, resource allocation, marketing, manufacturing, organizing and learning capabilities scales, Camison & Villar-Lopez (2014) and Yam et al. (2004) measurements were performed. The definition of innovative performance by Lau et al (2010) and Shahzad et al. (2017) with 8 questions were used. Structural equation modeling and LISREL software were used to test the hypothesis.
Discussion and Findings showed that R & D capabilities, resource allocation, learning and strategic planning directly contribute to improved innovative performance. Findings also showed that knowledge-based companies have operated with robust marketing capabilities. Many of them have established good relationships with their major customers, and have had a good performance in the after-sales services and well-known sectors in the product market. On the other hand, resource allocation was the weakest feature among the capabilities of technological innovation. Findings also indicate that knowledge-based companies have been weak in utilizing resources, such as human resources, capital, and technology and techniques for innovation. It was found that the companies have acknowledged that they are not investing sufficiently to innovate. Findings also showed that knowledge-based companies in the Science and Technology Park of Tehran University have been weak in research and development capabilities, and the companies under study did not have sufficient personnel for research and development, in the traditional sense. Finding show that strategic planning, R&D, resource allocation, marketing and learning capabilities can significantly improve the innovative performance. R&D and resource allocation capabilities can also significantly improve new product introduction, while manufacturing and organizing capability does not significantly affect innovative performance in knowledge-based firms in the Science and Technology Park of Tehran University