Wachstum durch Innovation: Österreichische Erfolgsunternehmen und die Rolle der angewandten Forschungsförderung

Applied research promotion has a long tradition in Austria and contributes considerably to the innovation performance of the Austrian economy. Based on very successful Austrian firms which became global Players due to technological development and innovation, the specific role of research promotion is analysed. Although the group of companies achieving extraordinary growth over a longer period of time and eventually becoming international innovation leaders is small, these firms serve as role models for the entire Austrian economy. The companies KTM, Knapp, B&R Industrial Automation, XAL and BIOMIN illustrate that entrepreneurial behaviour focussing on continuous product development in line with a strong international orientation results in sustainable growth and the creation of new jobs.