Description
The goal of this paper is to illustrate, trough a case study, the role that learning processes play in the innovation capacity of SMEs and, consequently, in the competitiveness of firms and the development of the area where they are localized. Dynamic processes are expected where learning processes generate knowledge that makes it possible to spur innovations that are needed by the local production system to maintain its competitiveness in global markets. To achieve such goal two intermediate objectives have been established. The first one is to present a conceptual model where learning processes, together with innovation systems and clusters & networks of a region are the main pillars of the innovation capacityof SMEs. Following such conceptual model, the second objective is to analyse the situation in a county of the Basque Autonomous Community. At this point, it will be argued that learning processes are frequently localised and socially embedded; for instance, „counties‟ (geographical units formed by several municipalities but smaller than provinces) can play a relevant role in the application of such policies. Concluding remarks will be derived from the case study that point to two challenges that local agents involved in the system of knowledge generation and of innovation policies will face in the future.
