ИПИ Библиотека

This is a book based on the project "Infusing Knowledge into South East European SMEs: Establishing a Platform for Developing Business Alliances, Supply Chains, and SME-Research Interactions", funded by the British & Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO). The research has concluded that the lack of an institutional framework is restraining the development of any form of systemic knowledge transfer mechanisms emerging. It is also clear that if these countries are to make process towards becoming part of knowledge-based economy, and therefore not excluded from the rapidly evolving global economy, immediate action is required. By this we propose that rather than wait for the top-down development of an institutional framework to occur, that action is undertaken that contributes the development and evolution of such a framework in a more bottom-up manner.

It is through such an approach that we consider that a proposed a regional platform for the better and more dense transfer and absorption of knowledge can make a real contribution towards shaping such a framework. Knowledge transfer and infusion is clearly a critical step towards increasing SMEs competitiveness in South East Europe. However, it also clear that at present more support is required if the many barriers highlighted in this report are to overcome.

Recent research on SME development in South East Europe suggests three critical areas of policy focus: improving the availability of finance; reducing bureaucratic barriers to start-up; and enhancing the flow of knowledge among SMEs (e.g., through business alliances) and from knowledge producers (universities, laboratories, think tanks, researchers) to SMEs. This project focuses on the third of these priorities. The overall aims and objectives of the project are as follows:
• To examine the current and potential knowledge capability of SMEs in FYROM, Serbia and Kosovo, and the scope for improving their competitiveness through the development of knowledge infusion and business alliances strategies within supply chains and across industries and markets.
• To understand the current role played by Business Alliances in the region and barriers and opportunities for their expansion.
• To draw out the specific knowledge deficits/surpluses within SMEs.
• To explore the scope and options for establishing a platform to support knowledge infusion across South East Europe, beginning in the three target countries.
• To identify and understand the likely intermediaries and institutions (particularly universities) required to be involved in establishing a knowledge infusion platform.
• To understand the processes best suited to stimulating engagement from SMEs in the region.

Lenny Koh

Professor S.C. Lenny Koh, BEng (Hons), PhD, is the Associate Dean for Alumni Affairs, Chair Professor in Operations Management, Founder and Director of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM) Research Centre, Head of the Operations Management Group, Director of Sheffield´s Track 1 Research (SEERC) at The University of Sheffield Management School, UK. She is the co-founder of Supply Chain Management and Information Systems (SCMIS) Consortium, a global network of leading academic and practitioners driving research and knowledge exchange on supply chain and information systems. She is also the Former Director of Executive MBA programme and Former Chief Moderator for CITY College, at the University of Sheffield Management School UK.

Rob Huggins

Robert Huggins is Professor of Management and Policy at the Cardiff School of Management, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff and Director of the Centre for International Competitiveness. He is an economic development specialist of international standing, and acts as a policy advisor and consultant to a range of organisations. He is currently undertaking a two-year study on the role of university generated knowledge in achieving regional competitiveness of UK’s Economic and Social Research Council’s Programme on the Impact of the Higher Education Institutions on Regional Economies.

He was also the coordinator of the Managing and Infusing Research Investment and Development (MIRIAD) initiative for the European Commission www.miriad.org

Fotis Missopoulos

Mr Missopoulos is a Senior Lecturer at the Business Administration and Economics Department of CITY College, the International Faculty of The University of Sheffield. He has an extensive teaching and consulting experience. He has taught Information Technology courses at Ball State University and other local institutions.

Mr Missopoulos worked as an information technology consultant for various enterprises in Indianapolis, USA and Thessaloniki, Greece, and has participated in a variety of projects (SEPBE, ICAP, etc). He is a Member of EPY and SOLE.