Dear Sir/Madam:

For my MBA thesis for the University Lincolnshire and Humberside (UK) and the Hogeschool Enschede, I am interested in learning more about the factors which determine the innovative ability of Dutch corporations. My objective is to help expand the body of knowledge about this important area of innovation management.

In order to achieve the above, your help and time in reading and filling in this questionnaire will be highly appreciated, as it will contribute to the accuracy and success of this study.

Your response to the questions can be filled in on this e-mail. Your reply will be treated in strict confidence and will be available only to me. Any publication therefrom will be made known to you for approval.

Your assistance will be greatly appreciated and will help me successfully accomplish my study and to know more about innovation management. It will be appreciated if you would send this e-mail to one of your colleagues, if you are not able to fill in this questionnaire.

Sincerely,

Mr. Martijn Groen

Address: Palmehof 8 Telephone: +31 (0) 625 456 852

1314 WB ALMERE E-mail: m_g_groen@hotmail.com

The Netherlands

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Questionnaire - Innovation Management

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Definition product innovation:

An innovation is the development and successful implementation of a new improved product or service, aimed at gaining a competitive advantage.

Question 1

Name of the corporation? …. : __

Name of respondent ………. : __

Function of respondent …… : __

Question 2

During the last three years what was your success rate of your new products/services which have been taken to the market (An approximation is adequate for this question.) : __

Question 3

Please rate each characteristic on a seven points scale for your

corporation. (Please place your rating on the left side of each

characteristic).

Example:

If your corporation is characterised by a LOW degree of

technological competence, then your answer would be:

7- Technological competence ……… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

Corporation Characteristics

- Complexity of product design ….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Lead time in the introduction

of a novelty ………………… FAST :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: SLOW

- Range of business activities ….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Technological competence ……… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

People Characteristics

- Internal capabilities, skills

and competences ……………… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- The management's commitment to

innovation ………………….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Willingness to take risks …….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

Market Characteristics

- Degree of competition ………… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Degree of demand-pull ………… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Intensity of non-price competition HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Price elasticity …………….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

Strategy

- Innovation in the mission

statement …………………… TRUE :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: FALSE

- Innovation objectives in the

strategy ……………………. TRUE :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: FALSE

Culture

- Control ……………………. LOOSE :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: TIGHT

- Culture …………………….. OPEN :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: CLOSE

- Cultural orientation ……….. RESULT :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: PROCESS

- Cultural orientation ……….. PEOPLE :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: WORK

- Internal spread of information … HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

Structure

- Assigned Tasks ……………… BROAD :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: NARROW

- Autonomy of employees ………… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Co-operation between departments . HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Frequency of job rotation …….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Interdisciplinary activities ….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Motivational reward structure …. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Standardisation ……………… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Vertical integration …………. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

Availability of Means

- Education and training ……….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Financial resources ………….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Freedom to experiment ………… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- The use of creative techniques … HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

Network Activities

- Co-operation with other

companies …………………… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- Customer orientation ……….. STRONG :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: WEAK

- External orientation ……….. STRONG :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: WEAK

Innovation Infrastructure

- General technological activity and

knowledge in host country …….. HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

- The existence of tax reductions

on innovative activities ……… HIGH :1:2:3:4:5:6:7: LOW

Question 4

What proportion of your current turnover is expected to be innovation expenditure? (An approximation is adequate for this question.)

____ % of current turnover

Question 5

What is the proportion of current turnover, which is due to innovative products/services introduced to the market in the last three years? (An approximation is adequate for this question.)

____ % of current turnover

Question 7

If you are willing to cooperate in an telephone interview, pleas indicate here and leave your telephone number (Y or N).. :

Question 6

If you would like a summary of the result of this survey, please indicate here. (Y or N).. :

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Thank you for your assistence. Please return this e-mail to:

m_g_groen@hotmail.com

or send a printed version to:

Mr. M.G.Groen

Palmehof 8

1314 WB Almere

The Netherlands

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