Title: Public business services fostering growth - case studies in northern sparsely populated areas

Authors: Martti Saarela; Eija-Riitta Niinikoski; Matti Muhos

Addresses: Oulu Southern Institute, University of Oulu, Pajatie 5, 85500 Nivala, Finland ' Oulu Southern Institute, University of Oulu, Pajatie 5, 85500 Nivala, Finland ' Oulu Southern Institute, University of Oulu, Pajatie 5, 85500 Nivala, Finland

Abstract: The aim of this study is to describe public business services (PBSs) for early-stage small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in northern sparsely populated areas (NSPAs) of Northern Finland. These areas face challenges of globalisation, structural changes and demographic change. PBSs of these areas face special challenges including limited resources, remoteness, heterogeneous customer base, and long distances. This study describes how PBSs are organised and what kind of services is available for early-stage technology intensive companies in the three case NSPAs. The focus is on analysis and comparison of the supply of public business services in the three subregions of Oulu South region. As a result of this multiple case study, the services for SMEs and especially for early-stage technology intensive SMEs within the NSPA context are clarified.

Keywords: public business services; PBS; sparsely populated areas; growth; technology intensive SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; innovation; regional development; Finland; globalisation; structural changes; demographic change; case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2014.064149

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2014 Vol.5 No.4/5, pp.367 - 383

Received: 28 Feb 2013
Accepted: 20 Feb 2014

Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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