How do intermediary organizations support SMEs to enhance their absorptive capacity

In this paper, we underline the significant role of intermediaries in boosting absorptive capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises by introducing a framework that expresses intermediaries functions and their services in absorptive capacity as an essential element of successful knowledge and technology transfer.
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How do intermediary organizations support SMEs to enhance their absorptive capacity VNU Journal of Science: Economics and Business, Vol. 36, No. 5E (2020) 1-10 Original Article How Do Intermediary Organizations Support SMEs to Enhance their Absorptive Capacity? Alireza Ansari Vaghef*, Utz Dornberger Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany Received 01 December 2020 Revised 07 December 2020; Accepted 20 December 2020 Abstract: Researchers have discussed intermediary organizations as the crucial facilitators of technology transfer in an innovation system. They employed the intermediary term in different settings in the innovation system literature. In past decades, scholars highlighted the importance of intermediaries repeatedly. However, few studies examine intermediaries’ role in the innovation system. In this paper, we underline the significant role of intermediaries in boosting absorptive capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises by introducing a framework that expresses intermediaries functions and their services in absorptive capacity as an essential element of successful knowledge and technology transfer. Keywords: Innovation System, Intermediary Organizations, Intermediary Services, Absorptive Capacity.1. Introduction * Argilés et al. [7] mention that this exchange is vital for SMEs. However, knowledge or Countries have accelerated economic technology transfer is a complex phenomenon,growth by promoting innovation. Hence, and it does not lead to innovation if theacademics have presented the term ‘innovation transferred knowledge or technology has notsystem’ to explain ecosystems in which been fully absorbed and utilized. The literatureinnovation occurs [1,2] and have expanded the demonstrates that to absorb technologyterm in the literature [3-6]. The innovation enterprises need to develop their absorptivesystem theory indicates that innovation occurs capacity. Such capacity development wouldby interaction among various actors who require resources and time and therefore SMEsexchange knowledge and technologies and compared to large-sized companies, encounteractors who support the exchange process. Thus, more difficulties in such process. Moilanen etinnovation does not happen in isolation. Ortega- al. [8] explain the effect of collaboration between non-R&D SMEs and National R&D_______* Corresponding author. institutes (e.g., Universities) on the absorptive E-mail address: alireza.ansari@uni-leipzig.de capacity of SMEs. They state services of the R&D institutes can assist firms in developing https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1108/vnueab.4456 12 A.A. Vaghef, U. Dornberger / VNU Journal of Science: Economics and Business, Vol. 36, No. 5E (2020) 1-10their absorptive capacity. Hence, it is essential such system in each context. The “Helixto perceive how intermediary organizations system” concept was one of the first attempts towithin an innovation system can assist such clarify such interaction in the innovation systemcapacity development processes in enterprises. theory. The helix classification seeks to describe In this paper, we discuss the gap in grasping communication, networking, and institutionalthe intermediaries contributions in developing arrangements in an innovation system.absorptive capacity in firms, especially in Etzkowitz [14] and Leydesdorff [15]SMEs. In addition, we attempt to generate a suggested the main interactions in antypology and a framework that explains the innovation system occurs among three mainfunctions of intermediaries organizations within actors (university, industry, and government).four dimensions of absorptive capacity. We Therefore they proposed the Triple Helix-believe that implementing this framework, concept to illustrate the interactions amongespecially in developing countries, equips these actors. They mention that the triple helixresearchers and policymakers with a benchmark pattern (in which hybrid organizations connectthat helps them understand the SMEs’ demand university, industry, and government) is thein terms of external services essential to ideal setting of an innovation system. Theyenhance different dimensions of the absorptive emphasized that the statistic model (in whichcapacity of their firms. the government controls university and industry) and the laissez-faire model (in which there is a distinct borderline among university,2. Innovation Systems industry, and government) are not optimum. ...