INNOVATIVE COMPANIES EXTERNAL INFORMATION SEARCH IN RUSSIA

The article presents an explorative research study, where the question s were: where, how, and why do innovative small-company managers look for external information? The context we chose was Norwegian firms ope rating in Russia. Our empirical findings corroborate the dichotomy bet ween the external information search of innovative and non-innovative small companies. As a reply to the question of how innovative small-co mpany managers look for external information, our results show that th ey sense data in a combination of knowledge building. in addition to b eing 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 person al networks, basing their decisions on external feedback from the 'fie ld' and from co-operators in which they have trust. As an answer to th e question of why they look for external information, our studies poin t out that it is for planning, relationship building and to get an ide a of the relation between technology, the need for competence and mark et information.