51

This study explores innovative behaviors and the use of CSR sources. The Community Innovation Survey (CIS) extends the current discussion on the characterization of strategic innovators profiles. Employing a typological analysis on eleven sources of information, we identified four types of French manufacturing company profiles, each corresponding to a distinct innovation strategy (Reactors, Defenders, Analyzers, and Prospectors). They are described considering three types of innovation (simple, complex, and extended complex) and the type of CSR sources (from responsive to strategic) with a focus on their innovation sources (internal, market, and all sources of information). Our findings suggest that companies need to strategically manage their stakeholders to develop a sustainable competitive advantage and promote innovation complexity. JEL Codes: O30, O00, M2