RESEARCH PAPER
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE USER INNOVATION MODEL IN MICRO-, SMALL-, AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY
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University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
Submission date: 2023-08-30
Final review date: 2023-10-12
Acceptance date: 2023-12-21
Publication date: 2023-12-22
Zagadnienia Ekonomiki Rolnej / Problems of Agricultural Economics 2023;377(4):52-69
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ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to identify the degree of implementation of the user innovation (UI) model in
selected food processing industries in Poland and it was achieved through the following research objectives:
(1) to identify the sources of information used in the course of innovation processes by innovative
enterprises – divided into external and internal sources, (2) to determine to what extent users (consumers
in particular) are involved in the course of individual stages of the innovation process, and (3) to
compare the degree of consumer involvement in the course of innovation processes with the innovation
level of innovative enterprises. Primary data was obtained through an interview method (a survey
employing the CAWI method), conducted among 215 micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in
the meat processing, juice production, and milk processing industries. The time scope of the survey was
2018–2019 and the survey was conducted in mid-2021. Approximately two-thirds of innovative enterprises
use information from consumers during the innovation process and consumers are involved to
a different degree in its respective stages. Most often enterprises engage consumers during the stage of
innovation impulse, creating and testing prototypes. A significant share of innovative enterprises uses
information from consumers during the innovation process. The companies that reported the highest
number of innovations were, to a large extent, those that involved consumers at more stages of the innovation
process. The application of the UI model assumptions can be considered as conducive to shaping
innovativeness of the analyzed food processing industries.