Research
Technology Transfer and its Impact on SMEs World-Wide Knowledge from the ICSB Global Community
Despite protectionist and other trade-limiting measures and political constraints in some countries, the globalization of business is increasing rapidly, and the information revolution is playing an important part in that process. As Peter Drucker (1994, 100) states, "Few things so stimulate economic growth as the rapid development of information, whether telecommunications, computer data, computer networks, or entertainment media."
In this dynamic global arena, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can combine appropriate resources from anywhere in the world to reach target markets anywhere. These shared resources may include products, marketing, sales and distribution, research, engineering, technology transfer, finance, and various mutual support services. This ability to share resources is especially important to SMEs that previously lacked the complementary resources to participate in global markets.
Together, ICSB and DELL have worked to address the following questions and provide yealry updates when new competition data becomes available. The following questions were addressed during the ICSB World Conference in June 2008 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. In above picture (Left to right) Dr. David Foord, Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy, Dr. Brian Gibson, Dr. Pasi Malinen, Mr. Barry Jennings.
- What are the motivations for technology transfer? (Motivation)
- What are the prerequisites for technology transfer within SMEs? (Strategy)
- What is the role of government (if any) in assisting technology transfer between SMEs? (Stakeholders)
- What role are entrepreneurs taking in this new arena, and what role do Universities play in technology transfer? (Networks)
- What other factors need to be identified (i.e. intellectual property, tacit and explicit knowledge, etc…) by SMEs conducting technology transfer? (Opportunities and Threats)
- Can technology transfer be commercialized? (Opportunities and Threats)
2008 dell/icsb international small business it survey
Global Competition - 2008
The second annual International Small Business IT Survey was conducted with more than 1,500 small business owners and experts worldwide to better understand how small businesses might thrive and excel through the innovative use of IT. To actively support such small business IT excellence and leadership, Dell expanded its Small Business Excellence Award program previously held in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. (in
partnership with the National Federation of Independent Business) to 12 countries. The mission of the award is to identify small businesses worldwide that demonstrate the innovative use of IT to better serve customers.
Please click here for 2008 Summary Report.
Small Business Perceptions of IT Innovation - 2008
To better understand key drivers behind these investments, business‐owners’ top IT pain points, and the value entrepreneurs worldwide place on IT, Dell and the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) collaborated on the second annual “International Small Business IT Survey.” Taking the pulse of 1,361 IT decision‐makers in companies of 100 employees or less from nine countries and opinions from 200 small‐business experts attending the 2008 World ICSB Conference, the two surveys examined small business perceptions and use of IT.
Please click here for the Survey Report.
International Small Business Technology Research
| Year | Survey |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2008_DELL_ICSB__International_Small_Business_IT_Research |
| 2007 | 2007_DELL_ICSB__International_Small_Business_IT_Research |
The State of Information Technology on Small Businesses World-Wide: Listening to Entrepreneurs and Experts - 2007
Information Technology (IT) encompasses various hardware and software that small businesses use daily. IT influences their productivity which in turn, affects their competitive position. A healthy competitive position typically yields success in business. There is of-course, more to productivity and business success than technological prowess. Still, the role technology plays in making small businesses viable competitors should not be underestimated. Thus, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and the DELL Inc. collaborated on a joint international Global Technology Study. We asked small business owners in 12 countries around the world about the role of IT in their business. We also asked consultants, researchers, educators, and government officials who assist small businesses to help explain how IT plays a role in small business productivity and success. This report gives the result of these studies. Overall, we found that regardless of their locale, small business owners generally agreed on the importance of IT to their operations, as well as on the problems and challenges it presents. Moreover, we found that experts generally were in agreement with small business owners. Click here for the details of these findings.
