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Public Business Services in a Sparsely Populated Area: Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Martti Saarela

    (University of Oulu, Finland)

  • Eija-Riitta Niinikoski

    (University of Oulu, Finland)

  • Matti Muhos

    (University of Oulu, Finland)

Abstract

Purpose: In Finland, customers often view public business services as being a multifaceted, complex and scattered system. Service providers in sparsely populated areas are facing context-specific challenges as they provide services for their customers. The aim of this study is to describe what kinds of business services are provided for early-stage companies in the sparsely populated case region and to investigate how customers evaluate the importance and success of provided services. Design/methodology/approach: This is a retrospective single case study focusing on a sparsely populated subregion in Northern Finland. The case study devises a four-stage configuration framework to describe the current state of public business services and to reflect the customer experiences related to these services. The study uses semi-structured interviews and surveys for data collection. Multiple perspectives were analysed in the interviews for triangulation. Findings: This study describes public business services, especially for early-stage SMEs, in a sparsely populated region. As a result of this case study, key characteristics of organising public business services in sparsely populated area context are described. The success and importance of the public business services from the service customers’ perspective are clarified. Research limitations/implications: This descriptive case study is limited to a single sub-region of a sparsely populated Northern Finland to get an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Originality/value: Current literature provides limited information about how to effectively and successfully organize public business services in sparsely populated areas. This study evaluates how services correspond to the needs of the customers and how customers evaluate the importance and success of the business services in the sparsely populated case area.

Suggested Citation

  • Martti Saarela & Eija-Riitta Niinikoski & Matti Muhos, 2013. "Public Business Services in a Sparsely Populated Area: Case Study," Diversity, Technology, and Innovation for Operational Competitiveness: Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Technology Innovation and Industrial Management,, ToKnowPress.
    • Handle: RePEc:tkp:tiim13:s4_245-258
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Frédéric Delmar & Johan Wiklund & Per Davidsson, 2006. "Entrepreneurship and the Growth of Firms," Post-Print hal-01892801, HAL.
    2. Frédéric Delmar & Johan Wiklund & Per Davidsson, 2006. "Entrepreneurship and the Growth of Firms," Post-Print hal-01892798, HAL.
    3. Per Davidsson & Frédéric Delmar & Johan Wiklund, 2006. "Entrepreneurship and the Growth of Firms," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3971.
    4. Reinhilde Veugelers (ed.), 2009. "The Evaluation of the Finnish National Innovation System - Full Report," Books, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, number 495.
    5. repec:hal:journl:hal-02298077 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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