Technology-based firms contribute to dynamic competition, ensure product variety, close market gaps and promote job creation. Their development is impeded by a difficult access to capital, high R&D costs and management deficits. The book analyses their chances and risks in the innovation process. Topics deal with the management of technology-based firms, different aspects on their financing, the spectrum of public promotion programmes and the venture capital market in Germany. Finally, the book centres on regional technology and economic promotion and the creation of regional networks for technology-based firms. The reader documents research of Fraunhofer-ISI on technology-based firms and their environment and aims at a better understanding of specific chances and risks in the development process of such firms.

Describes principles and methodologies necessary to build efficient and highly productive work systems in high tech organizations that must develop and deploy new products in a timely fashion with competitive advantage. Presents techniques applicable to small high tech consumer products or large complex systems requiring cost control, waste minimization and rapid product development. Stresses methodologies to be used for strategic advantage. Suggests diverse strategic plans and their pros and cons, depending on the product and markets.

Technology-based firms continue to compete primarily on innovation, and one continuously required to present new solutions to an exacting market. As technological complexity and specialization intensifies, firms increasingly need to integrate and co-ordinate knowledge by means of project groups, diversified organizations, inter-organizational partnerships, and strategic alliances. Innovation processes have progressively become interdisciplinary, collaborative, inter-organizational, and international, and a firm's ability to synthesize knowledge across disciplines, organizations, and geographical locations has a major influence on its viability and success. This book demonstrates how knowledge integration is crucial in facilitating innovation within modern firms. This book provides original, detailed empirical studies of prerequisites, mechanisms, and outcomes of knowledge integration processes on several organizational levels, from key individuals, projects, and internal organizations, to collaboration between firms. It stresses the need to understand knowledge integration as a multi-level phenomenon, which requires a broad repertoire of organizational and technical means. It further clarifies the need for strong internal capabilities for exploiting external knowledge, reveals how costs of knowledge integration affect outcomes and strategic decisions, and discusses the managerial implications of fostering knowledge integration, providing practical guidance and support for managers of knowledge integration in high technology enterprises.

This open access book focuses on Switzerland-based medium-sized companies with a longstanding export tradition and a proven dominance in global niche markets. Based upon in-depth documentation and analysis of 36 Swiss companies over their entire history, an expert team of authors presents several parallels in the pathways and success factors which allowed these firms to become dominant and operate from a high-cost location such as Switzerland. The book enhances these insights by providing detailed company profiles documenting the company history, development, and how their relevant global niche positions were reached. Readers will benefit from these profiles as they compile a diverse selection of industries, mainly active within the B2B sector, with mostly mature companies (60 years to older than 100 years since founding) and different types of ownership structures including family firms. ‘Masterpieces of Swiss Entrepreneurship’ brings unique learning opportunities to owners and leaders of SMEs in Switzerland and elsewhere. Findings are based on detailed bottom-up research of 36 companies -- without any preconceived notions. The book is both conceptual and practical. It fosters understanding for different choices in development pathways and management practices. Matti Alahuhta, Chairman DevCo Partners, ex-CEO Kone, Board member of several global listed companies, Helsinki, Finland Start-up entrepreneurs need proven models from industry which demonstrate the various paths to success. “Masterpieces of Swiss Entrepreneurship” provides deep insights highlighting these models and the important trade-offs entrepreneurial teams must consider when choosing the path of high growth or of maximum control, as they are often mutually exclusive. Gina Domanig, Managing Partner, Emerald Technology Ventures, Zurich

A collection of the best papers presented at the High Technology Small Firm (HTSF) Conference held in the UK at Manchester Business School in June 2007. It includes chapters that are devoted to the critical problems of HTSF financing, comprising two contributions from the UK and from Sweden, the Irish Republic, Italy, and Belgium.

The papers in this volume address key themes relating to improving our understanding of the processes involved in high-technology entrepreneurship and of the design of effective policy to promote it. Topics examined include start-ups, entrepreneurship clusters, inter-firm collaboration, and growth strategy for high-technology small firms.

"Based on the author's extensive field research, academic study, and professional experience, Open Innovation calls for revolutionary organizing principles for managing research and innovation. Through descriptions of the innovation processes of Xerox, IBM, Proctor & Gamble, and other firms, Henry Chesbrough shows you the principles of open innovation in practice."--BOOK JACKET.

Now available as a 60 day review copy in Paperback! ISBN: 1-4129-2121-X"Finally! We have a comprehensive, reflective and critical overview of the field of strategy in the new Handbook of Strategy and Management." -Cynthia Hardy, Head of Department of Management, University of Melbourne Presenting a major retrospective and prospective overview of strategy, this Handbook is an important benchmark volume for management scholars worldwide. The Handbook frames, assesses and synthesizes the work in the field. Chapters are grouped under four specific areas of strategy and management: Mapping a Terrain; Thinking and Acting Strategically; Changing Contexts; and Looking Forward. Within these parts, leading international scholars provide historical overviews of the key themes, address the central approaches which have characterized these themes, critically assess the quality of current theory and knowledge, and set out agendas for future theoretical and empirical development. The resulting volume is a unique overview of the inputs and dynamics to shape strategy and management and will be crucial reference for academics and students.

This book presents unique insights and advice on defining and managing the innovation transformation journey. Using novel ideas, examples and best practices, it empowers management executives at all levels to drive cultural, technological and organizational changes toward innovation. Covering modern innovation techniques, tools, programs and strategies, it focuses on the role of the latest technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence to discover, handle and manage ideas), methodologies (including Agile Engineering and Rapid Prototyping) and combinations of these (like hackathons or gamification). At the same time, it highlights the importance of culture and provides suggestions on how to build it. In the era of AI and the unprecedented pace of technology evolution, companies need to become truly innovative in order to survive. The transformation toward an innovation-led company is difficult – it requires a strong leadership and culture, advanced technologies and well-designed programs. The book is based on the author’s long-term experience and novel ideas, and reflects two decades of startup, consulting and corporate leadership experience. It is intended for business, technology, and innovation leaders.

This book sets out to examine small technologically innovative enterprises in Europe from the viewpoint of ten international researchers. Drawing on original empirical research, the contributions describe the different aspects of the business development and innovation process, including the creation and development of technology-based enterprises, the growth of the firm, different types of networking activities, and various development strategies when the firm is established.