BRIDGE – Breaking Roadblocks: How Innovation Policy Can Boost Skilled Talent for SMEs’ International Growth to Develop Global Enterprises
Funders
Project information
Project duration
-
Funded by
Business Finland
Project funder
Funding amount
389 000 EUR
Project coordinator
University of Oulu
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Project leader
- Assistant Professor
Project description
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), form the backbone of Finland’s economy, accounting for the majority of enterprises and employment. However, innovation rates and export-led growth among these businesses may still have room to grow. Public financial support is frequently directed toward MSMEs, but little is known about how this support impacts human capital development—an essential driver of innovation and internationalization.
The project aims to clarify why certain policy instruments may succeed or fail in driving innovation and international growth, and how employees’ knowledge and skills influence firm performance.
Target Group:
- Finnish MSMEs
- Policymakers, other business support and -interest organizations.
- Researchers and practitioners in innovation policy, entrepreneurship, and small business management.
Goals:
- Investigate how public business development support influences human capital in SMEs.
- Analyze the impact of workforce changes on innovation and internationalization.
- Identify which forms of human capital diversity and quality best drive performance.
- Explore the role of regional human capital in shaping firm outcomes.
Expected Results:
- Empirical evidence on the effects of public support on human capital development.
- Policy recommendations for improving innovation and growth support instruments.
- New interdisciplinary frameworks for innovation and entrepreneurship policy.
- Tools for stakeholders, including data dashboards, policy briefs, and management bulletins.
Partners:
The main implementor of the project is University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute.
International Partners:
- Copenhagen Business School (CBS, Denmark)
- Norwegian School of Economics (NHH, Norway)
Funding:
The funders of the project are Business Finland and University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute. The project has received a total budget of €389,000, with €369,000 funded by Business Finland.