INNOVATIVENESS: VALIDATION OF A MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALE FOR MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

The present research focuses on organizational innovativeness, based on the identification of gaps in the understanding of this concept in the organizational context, measuring its dimensions and effects. In this context, this research presents as a general objective to validate a multidimensional scale to assess innovativeness, based on the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE's) in the Metropolitan Region of Natal/RN. An exploratory research was conducted by means of a survey, applied to 542 MPE's that are located in the metropolitan region of Natal/RN. The data was statistically treated by applying Exploratory Factor Analysis techniques and Confirmatory Factor Analysis through a measurement model elaborated based on PLS-SEM. The research developed and validated an instrument to measure the dimensions of innovativeness, theoretically based on the dimensions of the Management Excellence Model (MEG), resulting in a measurement scale consisting of 30 variables related to five constructs for innovativeness. As a managerial implication, the proposed model can be a guide to the process for the development of innovation in MSE's, in which the manager can draw a strategic basis for managing an innovation process capable of driving competitive advantage.

Keywords:
Innovativeness; Total Quality Management; Micro and Small Businesses