Title: Endorsing organisations towards international business: insights from Finland

Authors: Jaakko Sauvola; Jarkko Hyysalo; Matti Kinnunen; Paavo Kosonen; Pekka Jokitalo; Marko Jurmu; Jukka Riekki

Addresses: Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland ' Development Services, Innovations, Entrepreneurship and Transnational Education Unit, University of Turku, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland ' VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O. Box 1100, 90571 Oulu, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland

Abstract: Growth and internationalisation are challenges for SMEs that may lack the necessary resources and networks. For example, in Finland, the scope of the companies is often too limited, or the companies are too small to compete for large business with international clients. We propose a solution to this challenge; a systematic way to build research to business networks and agile working models to endorse growth and internationalisation. We present a case study on how Allied ICT Finland (AIF) helps Finnish companies in building projects and capabilities towards internationalisation. AIF supports companies in creating new solutions by combining usually separate areas of special knowledge and expertise, R&D platforms and resources, and using these to create globally attractive products and services. AIF increases Finnish competitive edge by combining business development, shared RDI environments, funding expertise, research and ecosystems. We believe that the experiences can also be adapted and utilised elsewhere.

Keywords: regional development; internationalisation; business; networking; research to business; value co-creation; commercialisation; scaling up; growth.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2025.143571

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2025 Vol.39 No.1, pp.1 - 21

Received: 09 Jun 2020
Accepted: 22 Feb 2021
Published online: 02 Jan 2025 *

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