PATTERNS OF TECHNOLOGY EVOLUTION IN SMES IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH MMCS. NEW CHALLENGES IN THE USER-PRODUCER RELATIONSHIP IN THE PORTUGUESE CONTEXT

This paper is part of a broader study about international production taking into account the relationships between Portuguese Small and Medium-sized firms (SMEs) and foreign multinationals (MNCs). Its importance lies in the complementary linkage MNCs exercise on SMEs. This paper addresses and analyses the patterns of technology evolution in the relationship between SMEs and their MNC clients. The objective is to analyse the technology accumulation process among suppliers as a result of the supplier-client interface in the supply chain. It is assumed that the external network of relationships among suppliers is the result of their need to cope with technological change generated by their clients or the clients' generated context.