survey applied to a vast set of companies that, directly or indirectly, could be involved
in the promotion of innovation and competitiveness of this region.
Thus we present the results of an empirical research from the companies located in these
3 sub-regions and it is part of one investigation plus vast that encloses the sub-regions
of Raia Central Portuguesa (three Portuguese and two Spanish) of the Portugal/Spain
border. The sample of the actors for the study includes 105 companies.
The methodology is based on the application of the multivariate statistics: K-means
analysis clusters that allowed the study to distinguish 3 standard behaviours of the
companies relative to their involvement in innovation activities. To the classification of
the standard behaviours of the companies the crosstabs and compare means analysis
was applied to identify the characteristics of each standard.
Thus, the aim of this paper is to generate local development using innovative small
companies of Beira Interior. Hence, we will present a brief theoretical framing and the
methodology. Later we will evaluate the contribution of the companies of the 3 sub-
regions of the BI, relative to their innovation activities. Finally, we present some final
reflections.
2- Theoretical Approach
The competitive and innovative performance of the territory depends on the strong
participation of different actors: companies, public and private institutions. However,
increasingly, innovation in small companies and local development, with special
attention to peripheral regions, it is a theme of some studies particularly of Nicolas and
Noronha (2000); Vaz e Cesario (2003). The importance of the SME on territorial
innovation processes is also patent in different papers presents on International
Conference of “Small Firms Strategy for Innovation and Regional Problems” realised
in Faro (December 2003).
In our opinion, a simultaneous and articulated analysis concerning firm size, innovative
activities and social environments has to be built on, in order to better understand how
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