ProcessSME network aims at increased cross-border cooperation within the region between SMEs, larger process industry companies, networks and academia; supporting process industry SMEs in commercializing advanced business models globally and at increasing internationalization of SMEs concerning business, research, and development activities. Cross-border, global commercialization and international business. To put it briefly, opening new paths for export is a central goal of our activities.
Anyhow, it is interesting to look at the current export statistics of the Nordic countries. The statistics show a different speed of development within the region. The following figure shows how the share of exports generated by micro-sized firms have developed in Finland and Sweden. It seems that the Swedish micros have doubled their export, while the share of exports generated by Finnish micros has shown only a modest increase. Speed of development is different.
Let’s take a look at the export related differences between Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia:
According to the Eurostat, Sweden leads this game with 126 billion € export. If the number of working age population is taken into account, it seems that the game changes. However, from the Finnish perspective the share of exports generated by the micro-sized enterprises requires some attention. The difference between the total export generated by the Finnish and Swedish large businesses (in euros) is not that big if the number of working age population is taken into account. The biggest difference in export between these countries is at the grass-root level, in the total export generated by micros. The export generated by the Finnish micros is 2 billion € meanwhile the export generated by Swedish micros is 15 billion €. Almost as dramatic differences can be found between these countries in the new business density: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IC.BUS.NDNS.ZS
The differences in the speed of development within the Nordic contexts and the contexts specific perspectives should be taken into account. Universal actions are not enough. Context specific knowledge is needed in order to support export activities in these countries (company-specific and business environment specific). Universal [business] models are not enough. There is a clear need to for context specific knowledge about effective company export strategies within Nordic context. This is where the ProcessSME network can add value.
Matti Muhos
Research Director, Research Professor University of Oulu
matti.muhos@oulu.fi, +358 400 407590
