Title: Managing regional SME innovation: the Entrepreneurs' Programme in Australia

Authors: Raymond Stokke

Addresses: Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

Abstract: This paper investigates the influence regional public business advisory services have on innovation practices in small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While a number of variables have been emphasised in the public advisory literature, little is known about whether the regional innovation system is a relevant context for policy-makers seeking to foster business innovation. This study is structured around the researcher's assessment of a publicly funded business advisory service that centres on theoretical notions from the regional innovation system model. Based on the empirical data, it was determined that policies should be applied through a hands-on methodology, where the main objective is to transfer knowledge of value to the business community. By serving as intermediaries in the regional innovation system, the publicly supported business advisory services in this case study were able to substantially aid client firms with innovation development. Most of these developments would not have taken place in absence of this advisory service, suggesting it generates a high amount of innovative activity.

Keywords: advisory services; business advice; innovation management; innovation programs; regional innovation system; public policy; small business; small-to-medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; Australia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2021.120545

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2021 Vol.25 No.6, pp.420 - 440

Accepted: 23 Sep 2021
Published online: 25 Jan 2022 *

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