Factores que determinan la innovación incremental del sombrero de paja toquilla en Biblián-Ecuador

Abstract

The production of the toquilla straw hat in the canton of Biblián represents a culturally significant and economically important activity. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing incremental innovation in this artisanal sector. A quantitative approach was adopted under the positivist paradigm, using a non-experimental cross-sectional design. The sample comprised 85 active craftswomen belonging to the “Padre Rafael González” Cooperative, who responded to a questionnaire validated by experts, whose reliability yielded a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.970, indicating excellent internal consistency. Statistical results showed no significant correlations between the dependent variable “incremental innovation” and the independent variables: market orientation (r = –0.056, p = 0.608), knowledge transfer (r = –0.005, p = 0.966), and associativity (r = –0.036, p = 0.741). However, a significant correlation was found between associativity and market orientation (r = 0.341, p = 0.001), suggesting the existence of strategic links between cooperation and customer adaptation. These findings provide insight into the challenges faced by traditional crafts in contexts of competitiveness and change, and how certain factors could be better leveraged to promote continuous improvement. Keywords: handicraft, associativity, incremental innovation, market orientation, knowledge transfer.