This paper proposes a holistic approach for investigating high innovation performance in SMEs by comparing different German regions. Invoking insights from the innovation mode concept and existing literature on regional innovation, we apply a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of 47 interviews with SMEs to show that high innovativeness is based on a bundle of conditions summarized as mechanisms of learning-by-doing, learning-by-using, learning-by-interacting, and learning-by-science. The results indicate that only parts of the DUI mode, in combination with the STI mode, can explain high innovativeness. This has implications for managers as well as for innovation policy, highlighting that there is no universal “best way” to become highly innovative.

通过比较德国不同地区，本文提出了一种整体方法来调查中小企业的高创新绩效。我们从创新模式的概念和有关区域创新的现有文献中汲取了见识，然后对47个中小企业进行了访谈，并进行了定性比较分析（QCA），以显示出高度的创新性是基于一系列条件的总结，这些条件被总结为“边干边学”，使用学习，互动学习和科学学习。结果表明，只有DUI模式的一部分与STI模式结合才能说明高度的创新性。这对管理人员以及创新政策都有影响，并强调了没有高度创新的普遍“最佳方法”。