Innovation and internationalization are both essential for Norwegian welfare. Internationalization is in particular important for a small open economy like the Norwegian.
Norway’s most important industries’ success is based on internationalization (oil&gas, maritime, marine, tourism). In other industries, Norwegian companies do not have the same international position.
Today, small and medium sized companies (SMEs) have good opportunities in international markets. Thus, more and more companies develop their businesses in global markets. When Norwegian companies become limitless with regards to geographical footprint, Innovation Norway’s support should become equally limitless with regards to geography. As a result, Innovation Norway has to adjust its services to help out entrepreneurs.
Norwegian consultant company Rambøll conducted a survey among 832 companies that received services from Innovation Norway in international markets in 2009 and 2010. The survey showed that companies that benefit most from Innovation Norway support, are companies in an early phase and smaller companies with little former international experience, as well as those companies entering markets with significant cultural differences.
Rambøll’s survey concluded that SMEs primarily need operative and practical assistance in how to do business in new markets and that Innovation Norway’s services already covers that need in a good way.
What is your opinion? Please spend five minutes on a questionnaire and help Innovation Norway become a better service provider for you in foreign markets.
