Innovation capabilities in the Information Technology and Communication Enterprise Group

Abstract

Innovation is essential for business and social development. In Cuba, it is considered a process of transforming information into knowledge and the ability to generate competitive goods and services. Despite efforts to promote innovation, especially in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), obstacles persist such as lack of financing, high costs, insufficient infrastructure, resistance to change and lack of technological information. The Information Technology and Communication Enterprise Group (GEIC), founded in January 2015, has been dedicated to guiding, directing and supervising eight entities whose main activity is related to information technology and communications. At the end of 2021, the GEIC began the Strategic Exercise for the period 2022-2024 and the diagnosis establishes that "the results of the R&D&I activity do not translate into innovative products and services." With the purpose of establishing innovation management in the GEIC as a fundamental pillar of business management, the topic has been analyzed in multiple spaces and several tools have been applied to evaluate its status. As a result, the main causes that affect its management are identified, such as the fluctuation of human resources, planning and budget problems, lack of market orientation, technical challenges and poor project management, the latter being considered the one with the greatest impact. Many of these causes are related to skills and competencies that must be developed within the organization and represent important challenges for the GEIC in its search for more effective and innovation-oriented management.