Survival Competencies in SMEs in Changing Business Environments

Kyllikki Taipale-Erävala

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    The research focuses on competencies in SMEs, and especially competencies in innovation situations caused by external or internal structural changes or transitions. Economic crisis, industrial structural changes or even changes in polity challenge firms, and especially small and medium-sized firms. These external changes affect their existing skills, capabilities, attitudes and behaviors; in other words, competence and competency. When economic situations change, competencies have to change as well. SMEs have a strong impact on common economic development, innovation and new job creation, and it is important to recognize the SME competences as a reforming element in increasing welfare. The qualitative research in Finnish and Russian SMEs highlights entrepreneurial and managerial skills with open-minded attitude and emphasizes the difficulties in returning back to earlier phases in the entrepreneurial process.

    Original languageUndefined/Unknown
    Title of host publicationEntrepreneurship and Sustainability : 59th Annual Conference of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB 2014)
    EditorsICSB editors
    PublisherInternational Council of Small Business (ICSB)
    Pages
    Publication statusPublished - 2014
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    Eventconference; 2014-06-11; 2014-06-14 -
    Duration: 11 Jun 201414 Jun 2014

    Conference

    Conferenceconference; 2014-06-11; 2014-06-14
    Period11/06/1414/06/14

    Keywords

    • Russia
    • SMEs
    • art history + twentieth century art + book review
    • business environment change
    • competencies

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