Managing Innovation in Perceived Low-Tech Industries: A Review of the Technology Management Practices of the Fish Processing Industry of Newfoundland and Labrador

Typically, the fisheries and fish processing industries have been considered less dynamic than other resources dependent R&D intensive industries such as the offshore oil industry (OECD, 2006). Nonetheless, some “Low-tech” industries have become capital intensive (Von Tuzelmann & Acha, 2005; Robertson and Smith, 2008). We believe this is the case for the fishing industry in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), for which factors such as labour availability and cost, strong international competition, availability of fishing resources, etc. are transforming the way the industry conduct business. This paper is aimed to present a case study based, qualitative report of the implications and effects of product innovation, process innovation, systems’ integration and the need to re-think the management of technological innovations for the so called “Low-Tech Industries." For these purposes, the authors will present two case studies. The first is focus on the innovative efforts to automate the production process for seafood and fish. The second concentrates on the management of innovation of fisheries supply chains, specifically the transportation of live stock to the point of sale by considering the use of electronic tags and wireless networks. The results of the paper will provide guidelines for future research projects, since the fisheries industries has been deemed essential in the strategic economic development plan by the provincial government of NL and the Canadian federal government.