- Research Activities
The
intricate relation between investments in scientific research,
technological development, tacit knowledge resources, and
technological innovations are generally recognized to be an
important driver for the competitive advantage of firms. There
is empirical evidence that a firm’s R&D efforts may
directly improve its ability to innovate (Griliches, 1979), and
indirectly help the firm to absorb outside knowledge (Cohen and
Levinthal, 1990), both of which have a profound impact on the
firm’s productivity (Hall, 1996). The support of research
is acknowledged to be a critical element of a firm’s
innovation ability through the (semi-)open and continuous
interaction that takes place with other enterprises (coopetition
– Brandenburger, Nalebuff, 1996) and/or with external
information sources, such as universities and other public
research institutions. The purpose of our study is to analyze
the factors that may favor survival and growth of SMEs, and
report their propensity to create, manage and share
innovation.After defining the research guidelines according to
SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) main literature, we tested
our hypothesis on the basis of the data collected in a sample of
Italian SME’s with an empirical survey. Our analysis
focused on SMEs because of their importance in the Italian
economic system. In fact, for all sectors, the percentage of
SMEs (up to 49 employees) is higher than the corresponding
European categories. SMEs have several points of strength but
also several points of weakness . The first includes system
areas like “industrial districts”. The presence of
integrated SME networks, entrepreneurial dynamism,
competitiveness in terms of product quality, cooperation between
enterprises and the location in decentralized areas have created
territorial competitiveness and collective efficiency due to
positive externalities. In this context we also examine the
process of innovation as the result of the firm’
networking activity.
- Publications