High Growth SMEs and Open Innovation

In recent years, there have been major shifts in the way scientific research and development (R&D) is undertaken and globally mobilised.  Increasingly firms are moving away from the ‘closed innovation’ in which most R&D is carried out in-house in isolation and secrecy  to one in which firms actively collaborate with other firms and institutions (e.g., universities), i.e., ‘open  innovation’.  As a result, extensive encouragement takes place in terms of, for example, joint-R&D, patenting and   crowd sourcing. It is argued that ‘open innovation’ provides access to technologies, and modern laboratory facilities that take years and require major R&D investment   to acquire in-house. Open innovation is increasingly receiving attention in academic research.

Moreover, increasingly research and policy attention has come to focus on the Small and Medium Sized sector as a key source of new product development, innovation, suppliers of new technologies and employment growth.  Innovative and high growth SMEs appear, therefore, to be vital parts of a dynamic process of national and regional economic development. However, existing research on ‘open innovation’ focuses, largely, on high-technology multi-national firms and, generally, ignores the role/impact of national and regional innovation performance/systems and government policies.  As a result, research on ‘open innovation’ practices in SMEs is relatively scarce.

Attempting to fill the gaps in the literature and practice, the Small Enterprise Research Unit/Newcastle University Business School  is currently undertaking a major survey of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and Greece in order to investigate and identify best practice in all key areas of business operation,  including innovation, R&D, business-university collaboration,  networking,  management structure that may have impacts on the economic performance and growth of SMEs in these two countries.

It is anticipated that the findings of the empirical research will

  1. contribute to the body of knowledge on ‘Open Innovation’ and University-Business collaborations,
  2. enhance academic understanding of the process and conditions which produce, develop and sustain (or inhibit) successful SMEs operating in contrasting regional environments,
  3. provide insights to policy makers, assisting them in designing and implementing initiatives and programmes directed at promoting the much needed growth, sustainability and  competiveness of innovative SMEs in both UK and Greece (and within the two regions in particular).

Organisations Involved in the Project

The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC)
Headquartered in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, the BIC is a business centre with a difference, working in partnership with both private and public sector organisations in order to achieve its mission - to support the development of ‘an innovative and enterprising culture in the North East’. BIC has helped to create over 7,000 jobs and is currently home to over 120 businesses.
Contact details:
Tel: +44 (0) 191 516 6200
fax: +44 (0) 191 516 6150
email: info@ne-bic.co.uk
http://www.ne-bic.co.uk/

Derwentside Enterprise Agency Community Interest Company (DEA C.I.C.)
Derwentside Enterprise Agency C.I.C. (DEA) has its origins in the partnership that was formed between Derwentside District Council (DDC) and British Steel (Industry). DEA aims to be the natural first port of call to people in the Derwentside area wishing to start in business and for those already in business looking for advice or guidance. DIDA played a major role in the re-development of the Derwentside economy. Many now major employers such as Derwent Valley Foods and CAV Aerospace are examples of significant start-up businesses assisted by DIDA. In addition, many smaller businesses have set up or expanded with DIDA's assistance.
Contact details:
Tel: +44 (0) 1207 580011
Fax: +44 (0) 1207 591477
Email: info@derwentsideenterprise.co.uk
http://www.dida.co.uk/

Association of Information Technology Companies of Northern Greece (SEPVE) & Technopolis
Technopolis Thessaloniki is an initiative of the Association of IT Companies of Northern Greece (which has more than 240 member companies) and the first private venture implemented with the consensus of public and private partners and the full support of the Greek Government. The concept behind Technopolis Thessaloniki is to create a cross-regional, cross-Balkan operational base and a pole for innovation, research and cooperation in developing innovative solutions and in commercializing the innovative products and services.
Contact details:
Tel: (+30)2310365130/ (+30)2310365120
Fax: (+30)2310365133/ (+30)2310365121
Email: sepve@sepve.org.gr/ info@technopolis.gr
http://www.sepve.org/  and http://www.technopolis.gr/

Staff Involved in the Project:

Professor Pooran Wynarczyk, FRSA
Director
Small Enterprise Research Unit (SERU), Newcastle University Business School, UK
1st Floor, Citywall, Citygate St. James Boulevard Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4JH, UK
Tel. No. +44 (0) 1912430805
Email: pooran.wynarczyk@ncl.ac.uk 

Dr Panos G. Piperopoulos
DPD in the MA in Arts, Business & Creativity/ Lecturer in Enterprise and Creativity
Newcastle University Business School, UK
1st Floor, Citywall, Citygate St. James Boulevard Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4JH, UK
Tel. No.  0044(0)1912430804
Email: panagiotis.piperopoulos@ncl.ac.uk