Search results

This chapter examines the competitiveness footprints of SMEs within a high-tech cluster. A mixed methodology combining quantitative and qualitative data is used. More specifically, a case study is offered to show trends in innovative and entrepreneurial collaboration associated with an internationally competitive high-tech cluster. The findings shed light on the importance of collective efficiency strategies, with a focus on RD&I, implemented by SMEs that operate in an international and competitive market. This chapter highlights the lessons learned in two specific aspects: the role of innovation in the competitiveness of SMEs and the role of innovation and entrepreneurship networks in enhancing the functions of a high-technology industrial cluster, the Portuguese Engineering and Tooling Cluster.

This paper aims to illustrate the entrepreneurial performance of economies taking into account the variables present in the entrepreneurial framework conditions. The methodology used in the research is exploratory, descriptive and quantitative. We used a process that combines Factorial Analysis with Cluster Analysis. Considering the entrepreneurial framework variables conditions, our results indicate that there are four groups in economies: 1) Moderate Entrepreneurial Performance; 2) Emerging Entrepreneurial Performance; 3) High-Income Economies; and 4) Advanced Entrepreneurial Economies. Our research also denotes where economies need to develop new policies to improve their entrepreneurial performance and competitiveness. This research brings new contributions to science and existing literature as it helps to understand and clarify the entrepreneurial performance of economies relative to entrepreneurial framework conditions.