Challenges for Growth in Small Finnish Software Firms: a Multiple-case Study

Miettinen, Oskari Challenges for Growth in Small Finnish Software Firms: A Multiple-Case Study/ Oskari Miettinen Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2009. 88 p. Based on a literature review and an empirical research, a growth challenge model for small Finnish software frms is introduced. The literature review covers such topics as research on growth of a frm, reasons, and ways to grow, and various ways to measure the growth. Some growth stage models and the software industry in general are additionally discussed. The empirical part of the study consists of a growth challenge analysis of four Finnish software frms, refecting on conducted thematic interviews and questionnaires. One of the main fndings of the study is that Finnish software frms are most often facing challenges related to human resources: Acquiring new and managing existing personnel are constant challenges for management in the labor-intensive business. Other important industry specifc challenges for software frms seem to be relating to competition, and sales and marketing. Some industry qualities such as short technology and product life cycles, and knowledge intensity seem to be causing these challenges.