Role of Technology Transfer, Innovation Strategy and Network: A Conceptual Model of Innovation Network to Facilitate the Internationalization Process of SMEs
Open Access
- 1 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Scientific Research Publishing, Inc. in Technology and Investment
- Vol. 12 (02), 82-128
- https://doi.org/10.4236/ti.2021.122006
Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is to increase the understanding on how the combination of technology transfer and innovation strategy has become key elements for ensuring the development and growth of SMEs since has enhanced their ability to be part of networks and has facilitated their access to international markets. We see that SMEs can balance their limited resources with careful participation in networks. Indeed most SMEs need to be part of networks to get their innovations and develop special competence on technology transfer and to rapidly access to international markets. Although there exists a well-developed tradition of industrial network research there is a lack of analysis of systematic and empirical models of network relating to the technology transfer and innovation strategy in the context of SMEs’ internationalization. Based on our research framework on theoretical insights from technology transfer’s topic and its extensive concepts of innovation, network and internationalization, we examine how the internationalization process is facilitated by SMEs’ networking capacity. Our findings allowed us to address an empirical study created to develop a systematic conceptual model of an innovation network and propositions regarding the access of SMEs to international markets. This model can be an easy-to-follow innovation model for SMEs when adopting a knowledge-transfer, innovation strategy, and networking approach. This helps to make certain that the important drivers and approaches for the innovative network capacity and internationalization performance of SMEs. These findings have critical implications for entrepreneurs in enhancing their firms in international performance. More specifically, we analyze how SMEs’ membership in networks or clusters stimulates the concrete collaboration with High Education Institutions (HEIs) or Public Research Institutions (PRIs), Governments, and other businesses and contribute to acquire and absorb innovation via different channels of external knowledge influencing SMEs’ behaviours at the international level.Keywords
This publication has 100 references indexed in Scilit:
- The skills base of technology transfer professionalsTechnology Analysis & Strategic Management, 2012
- Innovations in Retail Business ModelsJournal of Retailing, 2011
- The Impact of Social Capital on the Start-ups' Performance GrowthJournal of Small Business Management, 2010
- University–industry relationships and open innovation: Towards a research agendaInternational Journal of Management Reviews, 2007
- Small-Firm Performance: Modeling the Role of Product and Process Improvements*Journal of Small Business Management, 2006
- The impacts of network relationships on SMEs' internationalization processThunderbird International Business Review, 2006
- Analysing distributed processes of provision and innovationIndustrial and Corporate Change, 2003
- Network competence: Its impact on innovation success and its antecedentsJournal of Business Research, 2003
- The Impact of Communication Strategy on Launching New Products: The Moderating Role of Product InnovativenessJournal of Product Innovation Management, 2003
- FACTORS AFFECTING SUCCESS IN INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS OF TECHNOLOGYThe Developing Economies, 1984