PRIN 2011 - Growth - Entrepreneurship and growth in high tech SMEs

We are currently carrying out a research project aimed at investigating and gaining an in-depth understanding of the patterns of firm growth. In particular, we focus on firms dealing with the so-called “key enabling technologies”, as identified by the European Commission, such as nanotechnology, micro- and nanoelectronics including semiconductors, advanced materials, biotechnology and photonics. By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Benjamin Crossley [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsThese technologies are particularly promising due to the great benefits they bring to our society. In addition, we firmly believe that strong, competitive and innovative firms are fundamental in order to achieve these expectations. Since management science still offers entrepreneurs and policymakers scant advice concerning the organisational, strategic and contextual conditions fostering the growth of entrepreneurial firms, our three-year project will deepen our knowledge of this phenomenon by adopting fresh theoretical perspectives and novel methodological approaches.