Empowering the Network between Micro and Small Manufacturing Companies, Associations and University: Success Stories

In the frame of the World Manufacturing Week, Confartigianato Lombardia, partner in PMI Network project, promotes the online round table titled “Empowering the Network between Micro and Small Manufacturing Companies, Associations and University: Success Stories”.
Empowering the Network between Micro and Small Manufacturing Companies, Associations and University: Success Stories
In an Open Innovation context, the winning strategy for micro and small manufacturing companies is to defeat the Non Invented Here Syndrome and to overcome the companies’ negative attitude towards the knowledge not generated in their internal R&D departments. Universities and associations play an increasingly important role in the innovation process of micro and small enterprises: the creation of strategic partnerships between the different actors of local innovation ecosystems is a catalyst for the development of entrepreneurial capacity and competitive growth.

The round table aims to share the experiences developed by different actors of innovation – Politecnico di Milano, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana and Hub Innovation Trentino – to compare and analyse effective ways to stimulate research and innovation in Micro and Small Manufacturing Enterprises.
The examples taken in examinations are characterized by similar contexts: alpine and cross-border territories with an important manufacturing industrial tradition.

We discuss the importance of personal relationships and IT tools in the interaction between universities, research centres, SMEs and stakeholders; the application of the approach to the INTERREG project – PMI Network will be presented.
The concept of geographical and social proximity was investigated as a means to pursue cognitive proximity and establish permanent innovation processes.
Preliminary results and success cases of the three approaches analysed were presented through the voice of entrepreneurs and stakeholders involved.

Agenda

Welcome

• Roberta Gagliardi – Confartigianato Lombardia
• Enzo Galbiati – Interreg V-A Italy-Switzerland 2014-2020 Cooperation Program – PMI Network

Introduction

• Josip Kotlar – School of Management, Politecnico di Milano
  Addressing the innovation challenge in SMEs: The role of Open Innovation

Round table: Strategical partnerships in local innovation ecosystems as a catalyst for the development and competitive growth

• Marco Tarabini – Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
  • Success Story: Davide Riva – Scatolificio Lariano Srl
• Andrea Barni – Department of Innovative Technologies, SUPSI
  • Success Story: Simone Degli Abbati, Veragouth SA
• Nicola Doppio – Hub Innovation Trentino
  • Success Story: Paolo Gregori, Trentino Sviluppo, ProM Facility
• Q&A