The Individual's Influence on Low-Technology Innovation: A Critical Realism Based Case Study on North-West Pakistan's Marble Sector

Abstract

While 49 firm-level determinants of low-technology (LT) innovation have been identified through a systematic review of literature, only 9 amongst these are related to the key individual (owner and top manager). The extant literature does not shed much light on the in-depth dynamics behind presence or lack of LT innovation. Therefore, this study offers a much-needed understanding of the influence of small firm owners and managers on LT innovation in north-west Pakistan's marble industry. Advocating the need for critical realism that has been an often-ignored paradigm in management research, this paper offers a unique perspective on the paradigm's fundamental tenets which are “objects” as individuals and their roles, “mechanisms” as ways in which objects influence an event such as occurrence of LT innovation, and “causal powers” as individual-level determinants of LT innovation. A case study approach and mixed methods have been used to investigate two marble sectors. Findings reveal that the more the interests and stakes of owners and managers diverge, the lesser the instance of LT innovation. A role-ordered matrix is presented and explanations of mechanisms and causal powers are offered in terms of individuals' professional and psychological traits and nature of business stake