Title: SME in Germany's maritime industry: innovation, internationalisation and employment

Authors: Hans-Heinrich Bass, Robert Ernst-Siebert

Addresses: Department of Nautical Science and International Economics, Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Werderstrasse 73, Bremen 28199, Germany. ' Department of Nautical Science and International Economics, Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Werderstrasse 73, Bremen 28199, Germany

Abstract: This paper provides some results from an empirical survey of Smalland Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) in the German maritime industry, an industry in which SME demonstrate higher-than-average innovation activity. Contrary to the overall development in the maritime industry, innovations in SME have also triggered employment. Innovation and internationalisation frequently go hand in hand. The main barriers for SME with respect to the realisation of their innovative potential and their capacity to create employment include the lacking access to external finance. Together with non-available distribution channels, funding is also an obstacle to internationalisation.

Keywords: maritime industry; shipbuilding industry; Germany; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; small business; innovation; internationalisation; employment; innovation; globalisation; distribution channels; funding; external finance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2007.014185

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2007 Vol.2 No.1, pp.19 - 33

Published online: 24 Jun 2007 *

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