Supporting SME innovation and technology transfer through intermediaries: the International Network for SMEs - INSME

The globalisation process is providing new challenges for SMEs competitiveness. Intermediaries and their networks specialising in innovation and technology transfer can play a substantial role in supporting SMEs in the knowledge-based society. In this prospective, the following paper aims to present the International Network for SMEs (INSME), an initiative promoted by the Italian Government aimed at setting up a world-wide Community of political and technical stakeholders in order to strengthen their cooperation, exchange know how and expertise in this field so as to maximise the mutual benefits and contribute to specialising, integrating and internationalising the offerings set of intermediaries.