Tracing the links between absorptive capacity, university knowledge exchange and competitve advantage in SMEs

Centre for Family Business

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https://doi.org/10.5367/ijei.2012.0061
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Keywords

Absorptive capacity, Knowledge economy, SME, entrepreneurial learning

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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

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Tracing the links between absorptive capacity, university knowledge exchange and competitve advantage in SMEs. / Fogg, Helen.
In: The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2012, p. 35-44.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Bibtex

@article{d800433d3a9a4814aa27e9eb0d3b374a,

title = "Tracing the links between absorptive capacity, university knowledge exchange and competitve advantage in SMEs",

abstract = "Can university knowledge exchange give small businesses the ability to gain competitive advantage? The main purpose of this study is, first, to understand the limitations for small firms in absorbing knowledge from higher education institutions and, second, to ascertain whether access to knowledge resources, such as a university, can be an antecedent factor for building absorptive capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creating business value. The paper is a conceptual study in which a model for knowledge exchange between a management school and SMEs is proposed. The model was developed, drawing on the literature and prior SME knowledge exchange expertise of the management school, to deliver a three-year project funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project, {\textquoteleft}Innovation for Growth{\textquoteright}, is designed to embed innovation in the business processes and practices of 300 SMEs in the north-west of England. This paper offers recommendations for improving policy aimed at supporting the innovation process of small firms; a proposed model of knowledge exchange between university and small firms; and a strategy for small businesses to improve their absorptive capacity.",

keywords = "Absorptive capacity, Knowledge economy, SME, entrepreneurial learning",

author = "Helen Fogg",

year = "2012",

doi = "10.5367/ijei.2012.0061",

language = "English",

volume = "13",

pages = "35--44",

journal = "The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation",

issn = "1465-7503",

publisher = "IP Publishing Ltd",

number = "1",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Tracing the links between absorptive capacity, university knowledge exchange and competitve advantage in SMEs

AU - Fogg, Helen

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Can university knowledge exchange give small businesses the ability to gain competitive advantage? The main purpose of this study is, first, to understand the limitations for small firms in absorbing knowledge from higher education institutions and, second, to ascertain whether access to knowledge resources, such as a university, can be an antecedent factor for building absorptive capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creating business value. The paper is a conceptual study in which a model for knowledge exchange between a management school and SMEs is proposed. The model was developed, drawing on the literature and prior SME knowledge exchange expertise of the management school, to deliver a three-year project funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project, ‘Innovation for Growth’, is designed to embed innovation in the business processes and practices of 300 SMEs in the north-west of England. This paper offers recommendations for improving policy aimed at supporting the innovation process of small firms; a proposed model of knowledge exchange between university and small firms; and a strategy for small businesses to improve their absorptive capacity.

AB - Can university knowledge exchange give small businesses the ability to gain competitive advantage? The main purpose of this study is, first, to understand the limitations for small firms in absorbing knowledge from higher education institutions and, second, to ascertain whether access to knowledge resources, such as a university, can be an antecedent factor for building absorptive capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creating business value. The paper is a conceptual study in which a model for knowledge exchange between a management school and SMEs is proposed. The model was developed, drawing on the literature and prior SME knowledge exchange expertise of the management school, to deliver a three-year project funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project, ‘Innovation for Growth’, is designed to embed innovation in the business processes and practices of 300 SMEs in the north-west of England. This paper offers recommendations for improving policy aimed at supporting the innovation process of small firms; a proposed model of knowledge exchange between university and small firms; and a strategy for small businesses to improve their absorptive capacity.

KW - Absorptive capacity

KW - Knowledge economy

KW - SME

KW - entrepreneurial learning

U2 - 10.5367/ijei.2012.0061

DO - 10.5367/ijei.2012.0061

M3 - Journal article

VL - 13

SP - 35

EP - 44

JO - The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

JF - The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

SN - 1465-7503

IS - 1

ER -

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