Improving Innovation Capabilities of Small Enterprises: Cluster Strategy as a Tool

Abstract

This study focuses on innovation capabilities in small enterprises and how their development can be supported by regional strategies. The study utilizes multiple case studies. The empirical evidence is based on data from four regions in Finland. Each of them has adopted an industrial cluster approach as the basis of regional development. The study draws a common framework for assessing how regional development efforts meet the needs of innovation development in small enterprises. The findings demonstrate that most of the efforts for improving innovation capabilities of small enterprises are appropriate for innovation generation in the front-end phase. Instead, there were no significant efforts to support innovation adoption. Further, the highly conceptualised development services provided by a variety of public organizations meet the needs of large companies. However, these services match poorly with the nature of innovation development in small enterprises.

Micro e Pequenas Empresas Inovadoras: Evidências em Empresas Paulistanas

“…Esse modelo se baseia em competências de inovação como base fundamental para o desempenho em inovação. As micro e pequenas empresas possuem alta capacidade de inovação em seus processos e tecnologias (Börjesson, & Löfsten, 2012;Forsman, 2009;Parida, Oghazi, & Cedergren, 2016). Isso faz com que essas organizações tenham sucesso em suas gestões (Börjesson, & Löfsten, 2012).…”

“…A inovação é um instrumento crucial no desenvolvimento de um negócio, sendo considerada uma oportunidade para explorar a mudança (Schumpeter, 1982;Tidd, Bessant, & Pavitt, 2008). Isso é especialmente importante para as pequenas empresas, cujas características tornam a inovação um fator de sobrevivência (Forsman, 2008(Forsman, , 2009(Forsman, , 2011Silva, Dacorso, Costa, & Di Serio, 2016).…”

Collaboration Capability in Virtual Teams: Examining the Influence on Diversity and Innovation

“…In this study, innovation at the team level is defined as the intentional introduction and application of ideas, processes, products or procedures new to the team that are designed to significantly enhance the outcome of the team and the organization (West and Farr, 1990). The process of innovation entails various complex actions and behaviours that facilitate innovation activities (Forsman, 2009;Lawson and Samson, 2001; Van der valk et al, 2011). Because of the complexity and timeliness associated with innovation, the well-performing team is likely to have a refined CCAP, which supports the coordination of diverse and collective tasks.…”

Revisiting the Honorable Merchant: The Reshaped Role of Trust in Open Innovation

“…Saxenian () stressed that such a balanced form of interaction is at the heart of, for example, Silicon Valley's technological and entrepreneurial strength. Various studies of clusters and networks in major organization and management journals highlight the significance of trust and show how it operates in clusters (e.g., Bessant et al, ; Forsman, ; Greve, ; Maskell, ; McEvily & Zaheer, ).…”