Typology of Firms by Innovation Performance: A Cluster Analysis of a Regional Innovation System

This study identifies a typology of innovative firms within the Regional Innovation System (RIS) in Medellín, Colombia, based on variables related to their innovation performance. Using cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, a representative sample of firms will be classified according to their behavior towards innovation inputs and outputs, while the predictive power of those variables will be evaluated. Data from 1006 organizations was collected from the 2022 Regional Innovation Survey, adhering to the Oslo Manual guidelines. The study aims to inform strategic decision-making, strengthen local innovative capabilities, and contribute to the understanding of innovation typologies and dynamics in developing country contexts. Overall, this research enhances the literature on innovation systems, innovation management, and institutional entrepreneurship, offering practical implications for policy development, firm operation, and the advancement of the quadruple helix model and innovation economics theory.