Continuous improvement processes in manufacturing enterprises as an enabler of process innovation

This paper focuses on the concept of continuous improvement processes (CIP) as one type of non-technical, procedural organisational innovation. In particular, the diffusion of this organisational concept among German manufacturing firms will be analysed. The analysis is based on data from the German Manufacturing Survey 2006 which is carried out every two years by Fraunhofer ISI. The underlying sample comprises data of 1,663 firms. Besides the diffusion of this concept in different sectors and different firm sizes, effects of continuous improvement on the process innovation capability of enterprises will be analysed.