Innovation and Export

3Design of a Joint Diagnosis Dedicated to SMEs: The PE2I

The objective of this chapter is to describe the design process of the PE2I (Potential Innovation and Export Index), as well as its operational development. This decision support tool is intended to evaluate SMEs’ innovation and export capabilities by measuring the maturity of joint innovation–export activities carried out within companies.

Thus, this tool makes it possible to propose a diagnosis of a company’s situation at a given moment: it identifies the company’s strengths and weaknesses and gives an indication of its potential field of predilection (innovation and/or export). However, this tool also makes it possible to suggest ways of improving the company’s development strategy. Does the company want to promote its export development? Then, the tool will identify the main levers to achieve this objective. On the contrary, does the company want to focus more significantly on innovation? The tool will then propose potentially different levers of action. Does the company want to implement a joint innovation–export improvement strategy? Here again, adapted action levers will be identified.

3.1. The methodological framework

The PE2I is the result of the merger of the Potential Innovation Index (PII), which characterizes a framework of practices specific to innovation, and the Potential Export Index (PEI), which represents the dimensions specific to export, as described in Chapter 2 of this book. The PE2I thus characterizes ...