This year's third innovation panel was based on the theme of internationalization, which is an important part of the work towards continued regional growth. Internationalization means both that companies in Dalarna expand or export outside Sweden's borders. But it is also about attracting foreign companies to Dalarna. Companies that complement the existing business infrastructure.
Positive view on internationalization
There is a very positive view of internationalization in Dalarna. One question in the Innovation Panel was specifically about what stakeholders in the region think about the efforts currently being made to increase the degree of internationalization in Dalarna. Almost 80 percent responded that they believe that all efforts to increase internationalization in the county lead to regional growth. Almost as many, 75 percent, said that Dalarna is also a region with a business community that is already largely active outside Sweden's borders.
Success for new and old companies
Questions in the Innovation Panel also asked whether there was a difference between the international success of start-ups and companies that have been around longer. The responses showed that 76% felt that it was not the age of the company that was decisive for success, but that it was exclusively about having a strong business idea to succeed beyond Sweden's borders.
Conditions in Dalarna
The panel was also asked whether there were opinions on whether Dalarna's conditions for international expansion were the same as in the rest of the country. Over 70 percent said that the conditions here are the same as in the rest of the country. At the same time, 19 percent said that the conditions in Dalarna are better than in other parts of the country.
Several promoters work for internationalization
In Dalarna, several actors are actively working together to help Dalarna companies get out into the world. This is being done within the framework of the region's Exportarena Dalarna initiative, which over the past year has brought together actors from Dalarna Science Park through the Enterprise Europe Network, Almi, IUC Dalarna and Business Sweden, among others.
Different views on what creates success
However, views on what actually creates international success vary among the panelists. One success factor mentioned for growing abroad is that the company has a commercially viable business idea. More than 50 percent of the respondents believe this. Internationalization efforts are generally considered by the panel to be beneficial not only for the sake of the individual company, but because the result generates growth in the entire region. More than 60 percent of respondents, on the other hand, believe that a high degree of digitization in the companies increases the opportunities for international success. As many as almost 90 percent believe that digitization is an absolute necessity for companies to succeed internationally. Otherwise, the responses in the panel were relatively consistent on the importance of continued work for increased internationalization in Dalarna.
Innovation Report 2023
This is an article from Dalarna Science Park's Innovation Report 2023.
Read the full Innovation Report 2023
