Title: Transformation of R&D results into innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises: a multi-faceted approach to management and partnership

Authors: Andrzej H. Jasinski

Addresses: Unit for Innovation and Logistics, School of Management, University of Warsaw, Szturmowa Street 1/3, 02-678 Warsaw, Poland

Abstract: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are usually faced with many difficulties in attempting to enhance their innovation capacity, which are manifested in their access to technology and finance, shortage of human and financial resources, weak cooperation with banks, research organisations, bridging institutions, local authorities, other business firms, etc. This often creates significant obstacles to the processes of transforming R&D results into innovation in SMEs. This paper presents a multi-faceted concept of the process of transforming R&D results into practical applications/innovations in SMEs. The concept focuses on the managerial aspects of the process and is facilitated by a model of partnership for innovation that highlights different types of stakeholders that could contribute to a successful outcome. The concept has been inspired by the strive for improving innovative capacity of SMEs in Poland, but holds relevance for other transition countries and countries that are more advanced on the innovation path.

Keywords: SME R&D; innovation capacity; innovation management; collaboration; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; research and development; partnerships; Poland; research transformation; research outcomes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIS.2014.068294

International Journal of Transitions and Innovation Systems, 2014 Vol.3 No.4, pp.344 - 361

Accepted: 20 Oct 2013
Published online: 08 Apr 2015 *

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