Work

SMEs' challenges and needs in relation to innovation agendas and strategies

Year: 2016

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Regional research project are, as is also regional industry, highly need-based. That is, understanding the stakeholders' (or customers') real challenges and related needs is important. This study is based on interviews with SMEs in the Northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden, but also on available innovation agendas and strategies for each country. The differences among the companies in those regions bring forward distinct needs, while many experience similar challenges, for example low population density, long distances and a high dependency on basic industries. Innovation is identified as a key driver of regional growth and competitiveness. SMEs rarely employ the term innovation to describe their activities, but rather stress `knowing the customer' as important. This indicates one of the challenges to implement innovation strategy as a driver for growth and competitiveness.

Source: International Symposium on Small-scale Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (SIMS)

DOI: 10.1109/sims.2016.7802893

Authors: Asa Ericson, Johan Holmqvist, Johan Wenngren, Heidi Kaartinen, Wei Deng Solvang

Institutions: Luleå University of Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Language: English

Topic: Regional Development and Innovation

Subfield: Development

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

Funder: Interreg