Investigation of the relationship between the innovation activities of companies and competitiveness: A research on Smes operating in organized industrial zones in TRA 1 region

The relationship between innovation activities and competitiveness in the world is getting more and more attention. Nowadays, businesses need to develop and update themselves in order to survive in a competitive market environment. It can either do this in the form of improvement of existing products or services, or by creating a completely different product or service. So they gain advantage in market conditions. In addition, businesses can gain advantage in market conditions through changes in their internal structures or production processes. From this point of view, the main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between innovation activities and competitiveness of businesses. In this research, 135 small and medium sized enterprises that are active in the Organized Industrial Zone in TRA1 region have been surveyed by using full screening model. The relationship between innovation activities and competitiveness is examined in four sub-dimensions of innovation: product, marketing, organizational and process innovation, and within the scope of the characteristics of the businesses. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained, it was found that there is a moderate, positive and significant relationship between innovation activities and competitiveness in businesses.