Shailly Nigam

As I continue exploring reverse innovation among Canadian SMEs, I’d like to briefly share the thinking behind my research design. While the full methodology will be presented in my academic paper, this post outlines the principles guiding my approach without giving away too much, too soon.

Aligning Design with Purpose

Every research design is a response to a question. Mine is shaped by the desire to understand how innovations from the Global South find relevance and application among small and medium sized enterprises in Canada and how this shapes economic sustainability.

To answer this, I needed a design that could capture:

• The stories behind how reverse innovation is adopted,
• The patterns across firms, sectors, and regions, and
• The implications at both the micro and macroeconomic levels.

A Multi-Lens Approach

Because no single method could do justice to this complexity, I’ve opted for a multi-lens approach. This involves engaging SMEs both deeply and broadly, combining different ways of listening, observing, and analyzing.

Think of it as blending the microscope and the telescope zooming in on lived experiences while also surveying wider trends.

A Word on Scale and Selection

Deciding how many SMEs to engage (and how) is not a numbers game. It depends on the purpose of each data point. Some firms will provide rich narratives that offer insight into the “how” and “why.” Others will contribute to a broader understanding of “how much” or “how often.”

I’m currently building a tiered list of potential participants across Canada. Selection is guided not just by sector or size, but by alignment with the core phenomenon of reverse innovation.

Looking Ahead

This research is designed to support more than a single paper. It’s part of a long-term effort to document how innovation flows against traditional currents and how Canadian SMEs may be quietly reimagining their global position.

In upcoming posts, I’ll begin sharing thematic reflections as early insights emerge, without jumping ahead of the evidence.

If you’re an SME founder, manager, or innovator working on unique solutions, especially ones inspired by practices from the Global South, I’d love to hear from you. Your experience could be valuable for my research on reverse innovation in Canada. Please feel free to connect or reach out via the contact page. Thank you.