Innovación y territorio. Una encuesta a pequeñas y medianas empresas industrials

Abstract

This paper analyzes the industrial innovation processes of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the point of view of the innovation systems perspective. The focus is on the cooperation relationships which SMEs develop in their innovation processes. Based on a survey to industrial SMEs of the Basque province of Gipúzcoa (Northern Spain), the paper looks at internal innovation capabilities, external sources of innovation, cooperation with other firms and R&D agents, and influence of the regional environment. The empirical results obtained confirm many or the trends emerging from the international regional innovation systems literature, especially those related to the so-called "interactive model", but they also show some specificities of the Basque case.