An evaluation method for innovation capability based on uncertain linguistic variables

•We developed a set of evaluation indicators system based on innovation capabilities.•We proposed the evaluation method based on uncertain linguistic variables.•The evaluation method and the indicators system are applied into a practical problem.

Due to new challenges from emergent markets, companies increasingly expect to be able to offer innovative products and improve the innovation ability. Thus it is necessary to use a comprehensive evaluation method to evaluate the innovation capability for companies. Firstly, the evaluation indicators system is developed in terms of process capability, organization capability and knowledge capability. Secondly, the evaluation method based on uncertain linguistic variables is proposed. Finally, the evaluation method and the indictors system are applied into a practical problem.