Ana Arroio is Manager of Innovation and Development, Federation of Industries of Rio de Janeiro State — FIRJAN, Brazil.Mario Scerri is Professor of Economics and Senior Research Fellow,　Institute for Economic Research on Innovation, Faculty of Economics and Finance, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

• Foreword Helena M. M. Lastres. Preface. Acknowledgments. Introduction: BRICS National Systems of Innovation Jose É. Cassiolato and Maria Clara Couto Soares 1. Small Fish in a Big Pond: SME and Innovation in BRICS Countries Ana Arroio and Mario Scerri 2. Local Productive Systems and SME Development in Brazil Ana Arroio 3. Innovation in Russian SMEs: Growth under Transition Alexander Sokolov and Pavel Rudnik 4. On Learning, Innovation and Competence Building in India’s SMEs: The Challenges Ahead Keshab Das and K. J. Joseph 5. National Innovation Systems in China: Role of SMEs Yuan Cheng and Jian Gao 6. National Systems of Innovation and Small Enterprise Development in South Africa Lindile L. Ndabeni.

‘[T]his book offers a major contribution by enhancing our knowledge [of] development, the role of Small and Medium Enterprises’ production and innovation systems and about policies to promote their, as well as regional and national, development. The aim is not to engage in country comparisons nor to provide ‘benchmarks’, but rather to identify and analyse key experiences and opportunities that may help to uncover development alternatives capable of enabling small firms to fulfil their potential.’ — Helena M. M. Lastres, Head of the Office for Local Production and Innovations Systems and Regional Development, Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES)