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does not guarantee effects on innovation. How-
ever, when they are employed with an informative
orientation, influences on innovation are found.
Therefore, this study demonstrates that, when
considering TS, CTs have a direct influence on in-
novation. Also, a mediating effect of e-information
exists between document management systems/
workflow and process innovation, although this
effect is not stronger than the direct effect. Thus,
the presence of that technology is important, and,
in addition, process innovation is improved when
related to e-information. Finally, it is worthy of
note that the size of analyzed firms may influence
CTs' use. The use of CTs as informative mediums
(e-information) in SMEs is possible and was
found to contribute to innovation. However, the
limited size of firms may imply that collaboration
and debate among employees is done outside the
intranet. This argument could explain why sig-
nificant influences on innovation were not found
from e-communication.
While this study presents some interesting
findings, it has some obvious limitations which
can be addressed in future research. First, the
sample was obtained from the Region of Murcia
(Spain). In this sense, findings may be extrapo-
lated to other Spanish areas and other countries,
since economic and technological development
in Murcia and Spain is similar to other OECD
Member countries. However, in future research,
a sampling frame that combines firms from dif-
ferent countries could be used in order to provide
a more international perspective on the subject.
Second, the sample consisted of SMEs and, ac-
cording to Spanish Statistics National Institute,
large companies are more used to implementing
Intranets (INE, 2006). This segment merits a
special analysis. Third, the key informant method
was used for data collection. This method, while
having its advantages, also suffers from the limi-
tation that the data reflects the opinions of one
person (not necessarily the user). Future studies
could consider research designs that allow data
collection from multiple respondents within an
organization. Fourth, the variables used for mea-
suring innovation may be too general. However,
basing on literature, they reflect the two main
outcomes of innovating efforts: new products
and new processes. Finally, it could be interesting
to complete this research about the influence of
CTs on innovation by studying the relationship
between innovation and CTs' adoption, that is,
analyzing to what extent innovative firms adopt
more CTs.
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