"Enhancing the SME innovation ecosystem for competitive advantage”
The conference comprises of three keynote seminars delivered by leading international researchers who will address how SMEs can link with other actors in their innovation ecosystems to not just weather the storm of COVID but also to evolve, prosper and ultimately scale. Our aim is to promote and encourage innovation among SMEs across the island of Ireland and the speakers are:
Dr George Tsekouras (Brighton Business School) on Open Innovation for SMEs
Professor Stephen Roper (Warwick University) on the SME Innovation Ecosystem post-COVID
Professor John Bessant (University of Exeter) on Move to Scaling for an SME
The full conference schedule is below. The three keynote sessions will go live to attendees across the December 15th-17th period and also be available for watch-back for a month post event.
Given the calibre of the speakers and focus of their talks, we look forward to your joining us for the Conference 2020.
Conference Schedule
Tuesday 15th December at 11.00am
Open Innovation for SMEs: Extending the boundaries of competitive advantage
Dr. George Tsekouras; Principal Research Fellow at Brighton Business School and Director of CENTRIM
Drawing on the research findings of over 100 SME cases from the Horizon2020 INSPIRE research project, Dr. Tsekouras highlights the how the open innovation paradigm can be leverage by SMEs to advance innovation initiatives, overcome resource constraints and build sustainable competitive advantage.
Wednesday 16th December at 11.00am
After the storm: Reshaping the SME Innovation Ecosystem beyond (the worst) of COVID- 19
Professor Stephen Roper; Professor of Enterprise at Warwick University and Director of the Enterprise Research Centre
What does past experience tell us about what innovations can happen after the storm of ‘COVID-19’? Professor Roper will look back at how firms innovated after previous crises and how some countries bounced back better than others. He will demonstrate how firms are innovating now and how the SME ecosystem will be reshaped beyond COVID-19.
Thursday 17th December at 11.00am
Scaling Innovation: The Cinderella story
Professor John Bessant; Emeritus Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Exeter
In this session, Professor Bessant discusses the challenge of ‘moving to scale’ and its importance in the innovation process. Drawing on past innovation research, Professor Bessant highlights the importance of approaching the challenge in systematic fashion, illuminating his argument with evidence from supporting cases.
