DR. AIINA RIZZONI IS A RESEARCH fellow at the Institute of Management Studies at the University of Urbino, Italy. The high heterogeneity which characterises small firms as a whole is also clearly reflected in their innovative behaviour. Thus, there is the opportunity to develop an analytical approach to the study of technological innovation in small firms while not overlooking the most important aspects of differentiation. A typology of small firms has been worked out with reference to the various roles played by such firms in innovative processes. The model here delineates six types of small firms. Each one is characterised not only by a different behaviour towards technological innovation but also by different strategic, structural and environmental approaches. An interpretation of the basic differentiations in the innovative behaviour of small firms is then suggested. These differences are substantially due to the entrepreneurial skills of small business operators and to the environmental pressures.
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References
1.
1 See: N. Rosenberg, Perspectives on Technology, Cambridge University Press, 1976, and Inside the Black Box: Technology and Economics, Cambridge University Press, 1982; R. R. Nelson, S. G. Winter, 'Towards a Useful Theory of Innovation, Research Policy, No. 6, 1977, and An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change, The Belknap of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1982.
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2 C. Freeman, The Economics of Industrial Innovation, Pinter, London, 1982; M. I. Kamien, N. L. Schwartz, Market Structure and Innovation, Cambridge University PRess, 1982; F. Momigliano, G. Dosi, Tecnologia e organizzazione industriale internazionale, Ii Mulino, Bologna, 1983; D. Sahal, Patterns of Technological Innovation, Addison-Wesley, 1981.
3.
3 See F. Momigliano, G. Dosi, Tecnologia, op. cit., pp18-32. This concept is represented by the term 'innovative process', that shows the circular nature of the relations existing among the different phases of technological change: invention, innovation and diffusion.
4.
4 See R. Rothwell, W. Zegveld, Innovation and the Small-and Medium-sized firms, Pinter, London, 1982; OCDE,L'innovation dans les petites et moyennes entreprises, 1982; A. Piatier, Barriers to Innovation, Pinter London 1984.
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5 See R. Rothwell, 'The Role of Small Firms in the Emergence of New Technologies', Omega, No. 1, 1984; K. Pavitt, M. Robson,J. Townsend, 'The Size Distribution of Innovating Firms in the UK; 1945-1983', Conference on Innovation Diffusion, Venezia, ppl7-22, Marzo 1986.
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6 See I. Marchini, 'Attualita, specificita, strategie dile piccole e medie imprese', Finanza Marketing e Produzione, No. 1, 1987.
7.
7 See S. VaccA, 'Piccola e grande impresa in una fase di rivoluzione scientifico-tecnologica', Economia e Politica Industriale, No. 47, 1985.
8.
8 The main contributions-both theoretical and empirical-to which we referred to develop our pattern are: W. J. Abernathy, J. M. Utterback, 'Patterns of Industrial Innovation', Technology Review, No. 80, 1978; C. Freeman, The Economics, op. cit.; R. Oakey, High Technology Small Firms, Pinter, London, 1984; OCDE, L'innovation, op. cit.; K. Pavitt, 'Sectoral Patterns of Technical Change: Towards a Taxonomy and a Theory', Research Policy, No. 13, 1984; R. Rothwell, W. Zegveld, Innovation, op. cit.; IRER, Sviluppo e innovazione nella piccola e media impresa, Angeli, Milano, 1983.
9.
9 Financial problems-which are common to the majority of small businesses-in this type of firm are particularly marked because the entrepreneur tends to drain money from the firm, to invest it outside or to meet his personal needs.
10.
10 See See C. Freeman, The Economics, op. cit., chapter 8.
11.
11 See K. Pavitt, 'Sectoral patterns', op. cit., The class of small firms that we have identified covers a more limited sphere compared with that identified by Pavitt, because our approach is more analytical.
12.
12 G. Lorenzoni, Una politica innovativa nelle piccole medie imprese, Etas Libri, Milano, 1979, and 'La costellazione di imprese: una base di indagine sui processi di sviluppo', Economia e Politica Industriale, No. 38, 1983.
13.
13 See W. J. Abernathy, K. B. Clark, A. M. Kantrow, Industrial Renaissance, Basic Books, New York, 1983.
14.
14 These relations concern forms of cooperation between small and large firms in activities of research, product development and design; they may also concern agreements among small firms.
15.
15 In Italy the supply of industrial robots mainly comes from small firms. See R. Camagni (a cura di), 1l robot italiano, Ed. Il Sole 24 Ore, Milano, 1984.
16.
16 As regards the organisation of R&D activities in small firms, see C. Freeman, The Economics, op. cit., p133-133; R. Gakey, High Technology, op. cit, chapter 7.
17.
17 See C. Freeman, The Economics, op. cit, chapter 8.
18.
18 As regards the concept of technological paradigm, see G. Dosi, 'Technological paradigms and technological trajectories. A suggested interpretation of the determinants and directions of technical change', Research Policy, No. 2, 1982.
19.
19 See R. Rothwell, W. Zegveld, Innovation and the Small, op. cit.; as to the determinants of the creation of high-technology small firms in the USA, see P. Zagnoli, 'Le determinanti della nascita delle nuove imprese ad alta tecnologia negli Stati Uniti', Economia e Politica Industriale, No. 49, 1986.
20.
20 See R. Oakey, High Technology, op. cit., chapter 7.
21.
21 See M. J. C. Martin, Managing Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Reston Publishing Co., 1984.
22.
22 See G. Bannock, J. Stanworth, The Making of Entrepreneurs, Small Business Research Trust, London, 1990.
23.
23 See G. Lorenzoni, 'Le innovazioni nel comportamento strategico delle imprese ilaliane', Rapporto Nomisma, 1986s. Vacca, 'L'economia delle relazioni tra imprese: dall'espansione dimensionale allo sviluppo per reti esterne', Economia e Politica Industriale, No. 51, 1986.
