Title: A new model of knowledge and innovative capability development for small born-global bio-tech firms: evidence from the East Midlands, UK

Authors: Amon Simba

Addresses: Division of Management, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, NG1 4BU, Nottingham, UK

Abstract: In the last two decades, the rapid transformation in information and communication technologies together with the adoption of more liberal structures governing trade as well as the modularisation of production and services has resulted in the proliferation of small born-global bio-tech firms. The firms have an international flair and they rapidly globalise their operations. Their strategic intent is to develop unique innovative capabilities through networking. In science-based industries such as the biotechnology sector the ability to innovate can only occur if a firm is able to both generate and integrate knowledge from inside and outside its boundaries. In that respect, this article employs a multi-case approach to construct a frame of reference for developing innovative capabilities that complement firm-based competences. The main focus is on small born-global bio-tech firms in the East Midlands region of the UK. The newly developed framework is invaluable to researchers, small born-global bio-tech and large bio-pharmaceutical firms. More so, it contributes to the concepts of dynamic capabilities and networking.

Keywords: born-globals; networking; internationalisation; absorptive capacity; inter-organisational collaboration; innovation ecosystems; UK; United Kingdom; East Midlands; innovative capability development; biotech firms; small firms; biotechnology; dynamic capabilities; knowledge supply chain; business networks; social networks; goodwill; trust; tacit knowledge; explicit knowledge; prior learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2015.068421

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2015 Vol.19 No.1/2, pp.30 - 58

Received: 04 Jan 2013
Accepted: 05 Aug 2013
Published online: 03 Apr 2015 *

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