Typical Patterns of Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship in Low-Tech Industries

In the context of the debate on the emergence of knowledge-based societies knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship (KIE) is regarded as a central transformative mechanism that pushes this development. Consistently, the discussion about KIE has mainly focused on new technology-based firms or academic start-ups in high-tech sectors. Little attention has been paid so far to sectors that can be characterized as ?low-tech?. In this paper, the question is posed what KIE can mean in lowand medium-technology industries (LMT). On the one hand, it can be assumed that entrepreneurial activities have only limited chances in LMT industries due to their mature character. On the other hand, opportunities for KIE activities in these sectors can be identified. Based on the results of 27 case studies of industrial LMT companies four typical patterns of KIE activities will be outlined. In the paper the final results of a recently finished European research project will be summarized aiming at a first, but also deeper understanding of a so far disregarded issue.