The Western Mail - Study finds direct link between innovation and success Cardiff Business School has just released the result of a 3 year study into the effects of business success. The results were that out of the top 1/3 of successful companies, the common factor between them was a greater emphasis on innovation, both in terms of R&D and wider innovative practice. For example, the survey found that 82% of high-performing companies (increased turnover and profits) introduced new or improved products over the three-years, compared with just 47% of medium or low-performing businesses. The high performers also had a greater commitment to improved flexibility (76% against 45%) and being first to the market with their new products (73% to 45%).