Study on growth barriers in North Ostrobothnia´s innovative companies

The purpose of “Kasvun esteet Pohjois-Pohjanmaan innovatiivisissa yrityksissä -selvitys” -project is to produce a report on growth barriers in innovative companies in North Ostrobothnia. The report combines the latest research information from the literature and regional empirical information on growth barriers in innovative companies. The aim is that the best available research information provides support for companies in identifying internal and external growth barriers to support public decision-making. In addition, the project aims to identify the special features of the operating environment in North Ostrobothnia from the perspective of company growth.

The project will achieve its objectives through three work packages:

1. Literature review (WP1) compiles the best knowledge in the literature on verified factors and challenges that hinder business growth.
2. Empirical research (TP2) involves in-depth interviews with innovative microenterprise and SME entrepreneurs/business managers from Northern Ostrobothnia. In addition, similar control interviews are collected for companies from control regions across Finland, and in-depth interviews are conducted with experts in business growth.
3. Disseminating results to stakeholders through reporting and workshops (TP3) brings the findings from previous work packages into a report and disseminates the project results to stakeholders through workshops and events.

The information produced in the project will contribute to the preparation and implementation of other regional business development projects. During the project, the results will be disseminated to stakeholders and the public through workshops and communications at the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute. The project's findings can be highlighted already during the project and the final results can be disseminated and utilized also in cooperation with the Federation of Finnish Enterprises.