The speaker's comments are mainly directed toward problems of information access and the necessity for small firms to be part of information networks. Mason argues that SMEs can potentially learn faster than MNEs because they can move quickly through the learning cycle. Second, it argues that SMEs and MNEs together can be more effective at maintaining innovation and competitiveness. Third, it proposes that MNEs and SMEs need to increase their capacity for cross-cultural collaboration. Various innovative efforts are presented in the context of SMEs.
Competitiveness is presented here as the ability for firms to enter international markets.
Mason's paper dealt directly with innovation and only incidentally with competitiveness. There was no mention of sustainability in the sense understood at this Institute. Information networks for innovation are crucial for small firms to compete successfully in international markets. Some facts about SMEs were first presented by the speaker. It is recognized that SMEs are increasingly important in most industrialized countries, as well as being considered more adaptable and more flexible than larger firms.