Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Wintjes R.J.M. 
Author-Name: Douglas D. 
Author-Name: Fairburn J. 
Author-Name: Hollanders H.J.G.M. 
Author-Name: Pugh G. 
Author-workplace-name: UNU-MERIT
Title: Beyond product innovation; improving innovation policy support for SMEs in traditional industries
Abstract:  Innovation support measures in the EU are mostly designed to support  product innovation in RD intensive sectors. To increase the still  considerable contribution to regional employment and competitiveness  from SMEs in traditional manufacturing industries a broader innovation  policy mix is more appropriate. This paper draws data from a survey of  more than 300 SMEs from seven regions within the European Union, as well  as case studies, to address the question How can innovation policy  interventions be improved to support SMEs in traditional manufacturing  industries more effectively We claim that innovation support should be  sensitive to the way SMEs in traditional manufacturing sectors innovate  and grow. We find that product innovation and support used for product  innovation is less likely to generate growth, than support used for  process innovation. Also support used for marketing innovations and  organizational innovations are of particular importance - together with  internationalization, design and cooperation. The increasingly selective  application procedures applied are not the most efficient to generate  impact, since those who are supported and those who are supported more  frequently, are the ones who are most likely to take the same  innovative steps anyhow, irrespective of policy support.Keywords Innovation, SMEs, traditional sectors, low-tech, policy evaluation, manufacturing, process innovation
Keywords: Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Industry Studies: Manufacturing: General; Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology; Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives; Management of Technological Innovation and R&D; Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes; Technological Change: Government Policy; 
Classification-JEL: O38; O33; D83; L60; O14; O31; O32; O33; .
Series:  Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2014
Number: 032
File-URL: http://pub.maastrichtuniversity.nl/03af1658-1190-449b-a946-3bcc1e905c0b
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 447488
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2014032