Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Low-Tech Entrepreneurship

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of Creativity, Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Synonyms

Low- to mid-tech SMEs; Low-R&D-intensity entrepreneurship; Low-tech small firms; Non-research-intensive entrepreneurship

Definition and Issues at Stake

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) classifies a high-technology industry as one in which the level of research and development (R&D) intensity (a measure of the proportion of annual turnover invested in R&D) is greater than 5 %. By contrast, low-tech firms have an R&D intensity of less than 3 %, while mid-tech firms have an R&D intensity of between 3 and 5 % (Bender et al. 2005; Hirsch-Kreinsen et al. 2008). A large proportion of industries are low to mid tech, including motor vehicle manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and electronics industries, food processing, printing, furniture manufacturing, household appliances, and plastics (Hirsch-Kreinsen et al. 2006). The vast majority of small firms all around the world are active in low- to mid-tech industries.

From the Literature

Previous...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,100.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams A. Barriers to product innovation in small firms: policy implications. Int Small Bus J. 1982;1(1):67–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersson S. International entrepreneurship, born globals and the theory of effectuation. J Small Bus Enterp Dev. 2011;18(3):627–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Autio E, Lumme A. Does the innovator role affect the perceived potential for growth? Analysis of four types of new, technology-based firms. Technol Anal Strateg Manage. 1998;10(1):41–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bender G, Jacobson D, Robertson P, editors. Non-research-intensive industries in the knowledge economy, special issue of perspectives on economic, political and social integration. Lublin: Catholic University; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen S. The role of small and medium-size firms in innovation. Paper prepared for the OECD LEED Program. Paris: OECD; 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Covin JG, Prescott JE. Strategies, styles, and structures of small product innovative firms in high and low technology industries. J High Technol Manage Res. 1990;1(1):39–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Amboise G, Muldowney M. Management theory for small business: Attempts and requirements. Acad Manage Rev. 1988;13(2):226–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evers N. International new ventures in “low tech” sectors: a dynamic capabilities perspective. J Small Bus Enterp Dev. 2011;18(3):502–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibb A, Scott M. Strategic awareness, personal commitment and the process of planning in the small business. J Manage Stud. 1985;22(6):597–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godet M, Durance P, Mousli M. In: CAE, editors. Créativité et innovation dans les territoires. Paris: Conseil d’Analyse Economique – DATAR – Académie des Technologies; 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch-Kreinsen H, Hahn K, Jacobson D. The low-tech issue. In: Hirsch-Kreinsen H, Jacobson D, editors. Innovation in low-tech firms and industries. Cheltenham\Northampton: Edward Elgar; 2008. p. 3–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch-Kreinsen H, Jacobson D, Robertson PL. ‘Low-tech’ industries: innovativeness and development perspectives—a summary of a european research project. Prometheus. 2006;24(1):3–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones-Evans D. A typology of technology-based entrepreneurs – a model based on previous occupational background. Int J Entrep Behav Res. 1995;1(1):26–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Julien PA. Small businesses as a research subject: some reflections on knowledge of small businesses and its effects on economic theory. Small Bus Econ. 1993;5:157–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao T-S, Rice J. Innovation investments, market engagement and financial performance: a study among Australian manufacturing SMEs. Res Policy. 2010;39(1):117–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindman M, Scozzi B, Otero-Neira C. Low-tech, small- and medium-sized enterprises and the practice of new product development: an international comparison. Eur Bus Rev. 2008;20(1):51–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundvall B-Å. National innovation systems—analytical concept and development tool. Ind Innov. 2007;14(1):95–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maskell P. Low-tech competitive advantages and the role of proximity. Eur Urban Reg Stud. 1998;5(2):99–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzarol T, Clark D, Reboud S. Chapter 14. Conclusions and lessons learnt. In: Mazzarol T, Reboud S, editors. Strategic innovation in small firms. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar; 2011. p. 395–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzarol T, Reboud S. The strategy of small firms, strategic management and innovation in the small firm. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzarol T, Reboud S, editors. Strategic innovation in small firms, an international analysis of innovation and strategic decision making in small to medium enterprises. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. Oslo manual: guidelines for collecting and interpreting technological innovation data. 3rd ed. Oslo: Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development, European Union, Eurostat; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. SMEs, entrepreneurship and innovation. Paris: OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation Development); 2010.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Radauer A, Streicher J. Low-tech, innovation and state aid: the Austrian case. Int Entrep Manage J. 2007;3(3):247–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raymond L, St-Pierre J. R&D as a determinant of innovation in manufacturing SMEs: an attempt at empirical clarification. Technovation. 2010;30(1):48–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Read S, Sarasvathy SD. Knowing what to do and doing what you know – effectuation as a form of entrepreneurial expertise. J Priv Equity. 2005;9(1):45–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rizzoni A. Technological innovation and small firms: a taxonomy. Int Small Bus J. 1991;9(3):31–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarasvathy SD. Causation and effectuation: toward a theoretical shift from economic inevitability to entrepreneurial contingency. Acad Manage Rev. 2001;26(2):243–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sardana D, Scott-Kemmis D. Who learns what?—a study based on entrepreneurs from biotechnology new ventures. J Small Bus Manage. 2010;48(3):441–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira AAC, Santos P, Oliveira Brochado A. International R&D cooperation between low-tech SMEs: the role of cultural and geographical proximity. Eur Plann Stud. 2008;16(6):785–810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terziovski M. Innovation practice and its performance implications in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector: a resource-based view. Strateg Manage J. 2010;31(8):892–902.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tidd J. Innovation management in context: environment, organization and performance. Int J Manage Rev. 2001;3(3):169–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torrès O. Pour une approche contingente de la spécificité de la PME. Revue Int PME. 1997;10(2):9–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeulen PAM. Uncovering barriers to complex incremental product innovation in small and medium-sized financial services firms. J Small Bus Manage. 2005;43(4):432–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Tunzelmann N, Acha V. Innovation in “low-tech” industries. In: Fagerberg J, Mowery DC, Nelson RR, editors. The Oxford handbook of innovation. Oxford: Owford University Press; 2006. p. 407–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh JA, White JF. A small business is not a little big business. Harv Bus Rev. 1981;59(4):18–32.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UWA Western Australia, Crawley, Australia

    Prof. Sophie Reboud (HDR, Professeur – Directeur de la Recherche, Professor – A/Dean for Research, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, Professor of Strategic Management, Management of Innovation, Management of SMEs)

  2. Groupe ESC Dijon Bourgogne, Burgundy School of Business, 29 rue Sambin, 21000, Dijon, France

    Prof. Sophie Reboud (HDR, Professeur – Directeur de la Recherche, Professor – A/Dean for Research, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, Professor of Strategic Management, Management of Innovation, Management of SMEs)

  3. UWA Business School, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Prof. Mazzarol Tim

Authors
  1. Prof. Sophie Reboud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Prof. Mazzarol Tim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sophie Reboud .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Systems & Technology, Management, School of Business, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Elias G. Carayannis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Reboud, S., Tim, M. (2013). Low-Tech Entrepreneurship. In: Carayannis, E.G. (eds) Encyclopedia of Creativity, Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3858-8_495

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3858-8_495

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-3857-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-3858-8

  • eBook Packages: Business and Economics

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation