The Role of Research and Technology Organizations in Innovation Processes of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Abstract

<jats:p> The main challenge in innovation seems to be not a lack of ideas, but a deficit in the evaluation and transformation of ideas into new processes or products. Due to their specific characteristics and the fact that innovations of SMEs are application-oriented, SMEs depend on external know-how for fundamental research. They therefore need a support network that translates the knowledge necessary for successful innovation into their language. Technical feasibility studies provided by research and technology organizations (RTOs) are designed to promote this knowledge transformation and transfer to SMEs. In this paper, the authors examine whether or not technical feasibility studies can facilitate knowledge transfer between SMEs and RTOs. The results of a literature review and an empirical investigation of the Feasibility Studies Program of the Austrian Industrial Research Promotion Fund reveal evidence of a stimulating effect of technical feasibility studies on SMEs' innovative activities. They also identify prerequisites for SMEs to tap the full potential of their interaction with RTOs. First, there has to be a developed research scene that is willing and able to meet the needs of SMEs. Second, SMEs have to recognize the potential advantages of working together with RTOs in the innovation process and to overcome their common fear of contact with RTOs. The insights presented may enhance the quality of similar initiatives now and in the future. </jats:p>

Research and technology organizations’ mobilizers of the regional environment

“…The RTOs are of vital importance to overcome the systemic failures of innovation systems. They are in charge of complementing the work of universities and other research organizations to conduct applied research, as they are strategic partners of companies with lower internal capabilities, such as SMEs (Roessl et al, 2010;Barge-Gil and Modrego-Rico, 2007). According to the specialized literature (Aström et al, 2008;Arnold et al, 1998;Nath and Mrinalini, 2000;Rush et al, 1996), the best practices of the RTOs, which help 182 EJMBE 26,2 increase their level of knowledge and improve their capability to respond to market, consist of bonds with companies, universities and other innovation agents.…”

“…The SMEs, because of their size, are less likely to absorb the knowledge of their environment and to assume the costs associated with research, to access licenses or venture capital (Barge-Gil et al, 2011). Also, they do not give priority to investments in R&D; therefore, a significant number of these companies do not have contact with the RTOs (Aström et al, 2008;Olazaran et al, 2009;Roessl et al, 2010) . Therefore, the RTOs should provide technological solutions according to the needs of the SMEs (Zubiaurre et al, 2004) and help them access sources of funding for their projects (Olazaran et al, 2009).…”

Una aproximación teórica a la innovación. Fuentes y barreras en el sector lácteo

“…Para las organizaciones, la inversión en innovación es una iniciativa especialmente riesgosa, en parte porque muchas de las innovaciones de productos no llegan al mercado y porque para desarrollarlas se requiere de un mínimo de recursos y del desarrollo de capacidades internas básicas que implican necesariamente inversiones considerables para estas organizaciones (Aström et al 2008;Lyne, 2007;Mas-Verdú, Baviera, Puig y Martínez-Gómez, 2008;Roessl et al 2010). La disponibilidad de las organizaciones para invertir en generación de conocimientos estará relacionada con la escala de explotación comercial y con las probabilidades de riesgo (Olazaran et al 2009).…”

Entrepreneurial Behaviors and Strategic Paths in Innovative SMEs: Evidence from Italy's Campania Region

“…Because of SMEs’ specific characteristics and the application‐oriented nature of innovation in these organizations, they often depend on external know‐how for fundamental research (Roessl, Kessler, & Fink, ). The experiences of the investigated firms highlight reciprocal influence between the entrepreneurial and scientific world, with benefits for both parties.…”