Innovation and competitiveness in local SMEs: Characteristics of firms, entrepreneurs, environment and their interrelationships

Abstract

In this paper, we evaluate the capacity of a local SME's productive system to incorporate scientific and technological innovation. We identify the principle external and internal conditions of enterprises required to form a critical mass in order to fulfil their task in this process. To find empirical support, we look at the features of firms and local entrepreneurs through surveys of Bahía Blanca enterprises that produce goods and services in different productive sectors: food, wood and furniture, plastics, chemicals and metal mechanics. Additionally, we consider factors external to the firm: R&D, the educational system, and research centers and their interconnections. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.