Title: Technological capabilities and firm performance: empirical results from Finnish ICT SMEs

Authors: Sami Saarenketo; Kaisu Puumalainen; Kalevi Kyläheiko; Ari Jantunen

Addresses: School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta-53851, Finland. ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta-53851, Finland. ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta-53851, Finland. ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta-53851, Finland

Abstract: In a high-velocity industry such as ICT (information and communication technology), the technological capabilities of the firm constitute its most critical assets. The purpose of this study is to empirically explore and classify the technological capabilities of small high-tech firms. The study uses data from 124 Finnish companies operating in the ICT industry. On the basis of technological capabilities of the firm, we identified four clusters. The clusters were labelled innovators, technology-oriented defenders, generators and imitators. Our findings imply that the nature of knowledge in the clusters differs. The technological capabilities of the firm give firms clearly different technological postures and also have different performance implications.

Keywords: technological capabilities; performance; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; information technology; communication technology; ICT; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTMKT.2011.043812

International Journal of Technology Marketing, 2011 Vol.6 No.3, pp.213 - 226

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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