*Toward the Adoption of a Framework for the Systemic Management of Innovation in SMEs… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112036*

stage was also carried out at the company's facilities, in several action research-type work sessions with those involved in the innovation project (decision-makers). In these sessions, the management framework was explained, and the decision-making stage was covered, using a format to structure the innovation project in the terms foreseen by the management framework itself and with the active participation of all those involved. The third stage consisted of remote monitoring of the actions carried out in the innovation project indicated in the management framework, through communication with the general manager and the operational staff.

The information from the interview with the general manager is shown in **Table 3**, which is organized according to the categories of the management framework.



#### **Table 3.**

*Analysis stage of the implementation case of the systemic innovation management framework for SMEs in the dairy sector.*

The information gathered in the action research session with those involved in the innovation project is shown in **Table 4**.

Finally, in the actions stage, regular communication was maintained for several months with the general manager and the personnel involved in the project, to


*Toward the Adoption of a Framework for the Systemic Management of Innovation in SMEs… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112036*


#### **Table 4.**

*Decision stage of the case of implementation of the systemic innovation management framework for SMEs in the dairy sector.*

monitor progress and results in accordance with the systemic management framework for innovation and to gather the information generated. During this stage, the opportunities identified to improve the performance of the innovation project were:


Innovation in the company's manufacturing process was achieved in a timely manner, and operations and financial innovation capabilities were built and strengthened. **Figure 4** schematically illustrates the results of the implementation of the framework for the systemic management of the company's innovation project.
