Innovative companies' external information search in Russia

摘要

The article presents an explorative research study, where the questions were: where, how, and why do innovative small-company managers look for external information? The context we chose was Norwegian firms operating in Russia. Our empirical findings corroborate the dichotomy between the external information search of innovative and non-innovative small companies. As a reply to the question of how innovative small-company managers look for external information, our results show that they sense data in a combination of knowledge building, in addition to being very patient and focusing on developing personal networks. As an answer to the question of where they look for external information, it appears from our results that they make extensive contact with personal networks, basing their decisions on external feedback from the ‘field’ and from co-operators in which they have trust. As an answer to the question of why they look for external information, our studies point out that it is for planning, relationship building and to get an idea of the relation between technology, the need for competence and market information.