Fast-growing SMEs and the Role of Innovation

• In a study of 409 Swedish SMEs, the difference between the highest growing, which can be characterized as gazelles, and the lowest growing companies were examined regarding performance change 2006-2009 and what contributed to the growth from an innovation perspective. It was concluded that, besides growing, the highest growing companies also showed high profitability, increased number of employees, and significantly higher market shares locally, nationally and internationally than the lowest growing companies. Several traits were found to contribute to this. The highest growing companies had a significantly higher portion of new products as part of the turnover 2006-2009, and they perceived themselves as better than their competitors at: 1) offering better products, 2) understanding customer needs, 3) being agile, and 4) keeping costs down. They also found it more important to take risks, reinvest any profit and to focus on growth than the lowest growing companies, and this regardless of industry.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Gazelles

innovation

SMEs

market share growth

perceived competitive advantages

risk-taking

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)