This project looks at how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can develop and extend their absorptive capacity through interaction with other firms via a facilitated 'learning network' . Such approaches have been successfully used in a variety of settings including regional development, supply chains and sector-based initiatives and this project builds on an extensive range of studies on the structure and operation of such networks.

It represents a research stream working as part of the Profitnet programme at Brighton University involving around 200 SMEs. For more details see the website.

To read reports, papers, etc. from the project, click here.