Diffusion of Innovation: Micro and Macro Levels

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on theoretical aspects of the essence of innovation, innovation activity and the importance of innovations diffusion at the micro and macro levels, which proved that innovation is an activity primarily aimed at developing, using and commercializing scientific and technological results (innovations). The given interpretation of the essence of the term “innovation” allowed to establish that this category is multifaceted. The typology of enterprises according to the level of innovative development presented in the article provides for the separation of five types of industrial enterprises: with very high, high, medium, low and very low development. According to the results of the analysis, the conditions necessary for the successful diffusion of innovations are determined, and from the standpoint of innovative development at the macro and micro levels, all innovations can be divided into two categories: radical and improving. The results of the research became the basis for the formation of conceptual support for the diffusion of innovations at the macro and micro levels and a prerequisite for identifying key factors that influence the creation of competitive advantages based on innovation in the knowledge economy.