Interaction and cooperation as competitiviness and learning sources in Brazilian small and medium industrial firms

Abstract

The article discusses the support to SMEs in order to improve their competitiviness. A taxonomy of cooperation based on strategy and specific needs of the firms is presented. It introduces field data about enterprises access to information and strategies of innovation in the food and biotechnology industries. Its major contribution is the discussion about the interaction between small industries and supporting institutions as a social phenomena which is the base for organizational learning and competitiveness.