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Technology upgrading of Small-and-Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through a manpower secondment strategy – A mixed-methods study of Singapore's T-Up program

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  • Ho, Yuen-Ping
  • Ruan, Yi
  • Hang, Chang-Chieh
  • Wong, Poh-Kam

Abstract

This paper outlines a scheme that uses manpower from public research institutes to assist the technology upgrading of Small-and-Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The Growing Enterprises through Technology Upgrading (GET-Up) initiative has been successfully implemented in Singapore since 2003. The key program in the initiative is a manpower secondment scheme (i.e. a temporary placement of manpower in a different organization) known as T-Up. We propose that T-Up represents a new approach to technology transfer which additionally maximizes the industrial impact of public sector research. Instead of traditional technology transfer modes which are transactions-based, T-Up utilizes skills and human resource transfer through secondment of public sector researchers. Findings from two surveys conducted in 2005 and 2012 show that the T-Up secondment program had positive impact on the technological capabilities, innovation performance and growth of participating companies. Additionally, case studies highlight that this approach addresses a wide range of challenges faced by local SMEs and is flexible enough to cater to specific needs and requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Ho, Yuen-Ping & Ruan, Yi & Hang, Chang-Chieh & Wong, Poh-Kam, 2016. "Technology upgrading of Small-and-Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through a manpower secondment strategy – A mixed-methods study of Singapore's T-Up program," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 57, pages 21-29.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:57-58:y:2016:i::p:21-29
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2016.07.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Cinar, Emre & Demircioglu, Mehmet Akif & Acik, Ahmet Coskun & Simms, Chris, 2024. "Public sector innovation in a city state: exploring innovation types and national context in Singapore," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(2).
    2. Christos Kolympiris & Sebastian Hoenen & Peter G. Klein, 2019. "Learning by Seconding: Evidence from National Science Foundation Rotators," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 30(3), pages 528-551, May.
    3. Zhengxin Wang & Minghuan Shou & Shuai Wang & Ruinan Dai & Keqian Wang, 2019. "An Empirical Study on the Key Factors of Intelligent Upgrade of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Subramanian, Annapoornima M. & Nishant, Rohit & Van De Vrande, Vareska & Hang, Chang Chieh, 2022. "Technology transfer from public research institutes to SMEs: A configurational approach to studying reverse knowledge flow benefits," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(10).
    5. David B. Audretsch & Antje Fiedler, 2023. "Does the entrepreneurial state crowd out entrepreneurship?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(2), pages 573-589, February.
    6. Plantec, Quentin & Deval, Marie-Alix & Hooge, Sophie & Weil, Benoit, 2023. "Big data as an exploration trigger or problem-solving patch: Design and integration of AI-embedded systems in the automotive industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    7. Zongguo Ma & Xueai Fan & Yanli Zhang & Beibei Hu, 2023. "Understanding the Influencing Factors of Enterprise Transformation and Upgrading Capability: A Case Study of the National Innovation Demonstration Zones, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-25, February.
    8. Peter Waring & Azad Bali & Chris Vas, 2020. "The fourth industrial revolution and labour market regulation in Singapore," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 31(3), pages 347-363, September.
    9. Klaudia Bracio & Marek Szarucki, 2020. "Mixed Methods Utilisation in Innovation Management Research: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Summary," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-27, October.

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