Επιχειρηματικές συστάδες επιστημών ζωής και διεθνοποίηση μικρών και μεσαίων επιχειρήσεων
Life sciences is a strategically important business sector for Europe, identified as one
of the key technological factors to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, economic
growth and quality of life. Life Sciences enterprises are characterised by intensive
clustering and strong international cooperation.
This study pursues to identify Life Sciences clusters’ features and investigate their
correlation with small and medium enterprises’ internationalisation. More specifically,
the study identifies the favorable conditions created within clusters that aim to
promote SMEs’ internationalisation both in theoretical and empirical level.
Initially, the literature review highlights the importance of clusters as a growth
instrument. The first section of the research is a comparative analysis of three
European Life Sciences clusters’ best practices on fostering internationalisation of
SMEs. The following section, presents the case of the Greek Life Sciences cluster
through the empirical survey based on SMEs’ executives in-depth interviews. The
thesis concludes with the research findings, cluster management suggestions (towards
SMEs’ internationalisation) and topics for future investigation.