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Articles

CJoE: Vol. 2 No. 1, June, 2018

Creativity and Innovation Culture: A Prerequisite for Sustaining Competitive Advantage in SMES

  • Obiri James, Iwara Nancy, Kalu Jane Chinazam, Ezebor Ogheneovie & Alabi Israel
Submitted
June 28, 2018
Published
2018-06-19

Abstract

Creativity and innovation are rudiments for an improvement in both new processes and ideas in an organisation. These attributes emanate from good management, a culture that encourages creativity and innovation, and recruiting creative individuals to enhance competitiveness. SMEs that are determined to compete with larger organisations are expected to be more innovative and creative than these organisations are. Many SMEs do not perceive that the promising future of SMEs is illustrated by the aptness to implant creativity and innovation in their organisational culture which has the tendency to develop the human capital as well as the total performance of the organisation.  This paper is aimed at guiding SMEs on how to espouse creativity and innovation culture in their operations, and also prompt an agenda for researchers to attain a more definitive affirmation about the application of creativity and innovation as a culture to gain a sustainable competitive edge over larger organisations. This paper also points out innovation and creativity opportunities in common SMEs like fashion SMEs, e-commerce businesses and agricultural SMEs, etc. It makes use of secondary sources of data collection from libraries, journal publications, and internet sources. It recommends that Innovation and creativity should be co-created alongside stakeholders with the support of the government as well. This can provide valuable information that may eventually result into a value-creating idea and give the enterprise competitive advantage and in the long-run boost the economy. Barriers identified include financial base, managerial issues and technological issues. Thorough attention should be paid to these issues to foster creative and innovative practices in SMEs