KIBS and innovation in machine tool manufacturers. Evidence from the Basque Country

The machine tool industry, insofar as it has a classical industrial component and a more modern one incorporating transversal technologies of innovation is representative of the innovative tension as a source of competitiveness for advanced manufacturing. KIBS can play an important role in promoting innovation in manufacturers since they support clients in their innovation process. Our results show that a relationship with KIBS provides firms with innovation outcomes and promote their internationalisation processes. However, there are differences owing to the size of the firm. Basically, the small manufacturers have relationship with KIBS to compensate and fill the gap their knowledge and skills, while larger ones reinforce their know-how, by carrying it out internally. The comparative analysis is carried out based on sequential methodological triangulation as there is just a small sample of 52 machine tool manufacturers.