Developing innovation support services for small high-growth technology firms in Eastern Finland

Abstract

This study examines innovation support service requirements of small, high-growth firms in Eastern Finland. The results show that most rapidly growing firms in the region can be defined as small, knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) providers. In order to create and commercialise innovation these firms use various innovation support services (most frequently technology-related and internationalisation-related services). The results also show that there is a concrete need for intermediary organisations that help small technology firms to choose appropriate innovation support services and generally act as external strategic partners during the commercialisation of innovation process. Providing convenient access to suitable ‘brokers’ may thus enhance the contributions innovation support services can make to the development of small, high-growth technology firms.