Reflecting innovative capabilities of SMEs through public procurement – empirical evidence from clean power generation
Davtyan, Robert (2017)
Pro gradu -tutkielma
Davtyan, Robert
2017
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2017103150439
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2017103150439
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this research is to gain an understanding whether and how small- and medium-sized enterprises are able to reflect ability to bring innovations to market by bidding for public contracts. There are particular signs of feasibility of leveraging public procurement as an innovative policy tools, yet the up to date academic findings appear to be in fragmented state. At this point, establishing a link with SMEs, the core players in national innovation systems, is the cornerstone of the research. By investigating these aspects in the context of Finland encompassing gas turbines sector, the current thesis aims to outline concrete challenges prevailing in the field and suggest concise practices and steps both purchasing and supplying parties may benefit from. The study is organized qualitatively and consists of semi-structured interview with the case company, questionnaire and documentary analyses of tendering documentation.
The results confirm that SMEs can be innovative public suppliers, whereas various main typical barriers hindering an access to public contracts still persist. The nature of innovations in state procurement is rather vague and implicit, meaning an absence of academic concepts and, hence, requiring from companies an ability to identify market’s maturity level in order to reflect their innovative capabilities. Inasmuch as bidding for smaller lots does not possess any significant challenges, restricted entry modes and high volume contracts can be overcome and secured by joint bids, sub-contracting options and enhanced public-private partnerships.
The results confirm that SMEs can be innovative public suppliers, whereas various main typical barriers hindering an access to public contracts still persist. The nature of innovations in state procurement is rather vague and implicit, meaning an absence of academic concepts and, hence, requiring from companies an ability to identify market’s maturity level in order to reflect their innovative capabilities. Inasmuch as bidding for smaller lots does not possess any significant challenges, restricted entry modes and high volume contracts can be overcome and secured by joint bids, sub-contracting options and enhanced public-private partnerships.