Policy Support for Innovation and Learning in SMEs: The Cases of Profitnet and Profitnet Plus

George Tsekouras; Despina Kanellou

Abstract

There is a variety of programmes and schemes supporting learning and innovation in SME. Most of the existing innovation policies have focused on specific groups such as the New Technology Based Firms and the High Growth ones, neglecting the majority of SME. The discussion will introduce a framework for classifying the various support systems addressed to small businesses. It will then discuss the results of the evaluation exercise of Profitnet and Profitnet Plus programmes in Sussex. More specifically it will refer to the following aspects of the programme: (i) the economic impact achieved by the programme, (ii) the members benefits in terms of business and innovation skills and innovation capabilities (iii) the collaboration and interaction induced by the programme and (iv) the members’ perceived satisfaction of the programme operations. The discussion will conclude with offering the conclusions drawn for policy support of learning and innovation in SME.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - Oct 2010
Event	Freeman Centre Seminar Series - Brighton, UK Duration: 1 Oct 2010 → …

Seminar

Seminar	Freeman Centre Seminar Series
Period	1/10/10 → …

Bibliographical note

This paper was presented as part of a weekly seminar series at the Freeman Centre, University of Sussex campus. For further information, please contact the authors.

Keywords

SMEs
Profitnet
Profitnet Plus
Innovation
CENTRIM

Access to Document

http://www.freeman-centre.ac.uk/events/2010-10-15Licence: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "Policy Support for Innovation and Learning in SMEs: The Cases of Profitnet and Profitnet Plus",

abstract = "There is a variety of programmes and schemes supporting learning and innovation in SME. Most of the existing innovation policies have focused on specific groups such as the New Technology Based Firms and the High Growth ones, neglecting the majority of SME. The discussion will introduce a framework for classifying the various support systems addressed to small businesses. It will then discuss the results of the evaluation exercise of Profitnet and Profitnet Plus programmes in Sussex. More specifically it will refer to the following aspects of the programme: (i) the economic impact achieved by the programme, (ii) the members benefits in terms of business and innovation skills and innovation capabilities (iii) the collaboration and interaction induced by the programme and (iv) the members{\textquoteright} perceived satisfaction of the programme operations. The discussion will conclude with offering the conclusions drawn for policy support of learning and innovation in SME.",

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N2 - There is a variety of programmes and schemes supporting learning and innovation in SME. Most of the existing innovation policies have focused on specific groups such as the New Technology Based Firms and the High Growth ones, neglecting the majority of SME. The discussion will introduce a framework for classifying the various support systems addressed to small businesses. It will then discuss the results of the evaluation exercise of Profitnet and Profitnet Plus programmes in Sussex. More specifically it will refer to the following aspects of the programme: (i) the economic impact achieved by the programme, (ii) the members benefits in terms of business and innovation skills and innovation capabilities (iii) the collaboration and interaction induced by the programme and (iv) the members’ perceived satisfaction of the programme operations. The discussion will conclude with offering the conclusions drawn for policy support of learning and innovation in SME.

AB - There is a variety of programmes and schemes supporting learning and innovation in SME. Most of the existing innovation policies have focused on specific groups such as the New Technology Based Firms and the High Growth ones, neglecting the majority of SME. The discussion will introduce a framework for classifying the various support systems addressed to small businesses. It will then discuss the results of the evaluation exercise of Profitnet and Profitnet Plus programmes in Sussex. More specifically it will refer to the following aspects of the programme: (i) the economic impact achieved by the programme, (ii) the members benefits in terms of business and innovation skills and innovation capabilities (iii) the collaboration and interaction induced by the programme and (iv) the members’ perceived satisfaction of the programme operations. The discussion will conclude with offering the conclusions drawn for policy support of learning and innovation in SME.

KW - SMEs

KW - Profitnet

KW - Profitnet Plus

KW - Innovation

KW - CENTRIM

M3 - Abstract

T2 - Freeman Centre Seminar Series

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ER -