To the lack of knowledge and capability, and hence very limited absorption capacity, should be added the presumption that none is needed (Arnold and Thuriaux, 1997). One step higher in Arnold and Thuriaux’s taxonomy of SMEs, firms have minimum technological capability. The gap with academia is such for these SMEs that no interaction is possible. Without specific hands-on support based on proximity' and mid- to long-term commitment, these companies are bound to reproduce the same activity, which puts them in danger of a change of context.