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on Small Business Management |
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Issue of 2012‒07‒14
six papers chosen by Joao Carlos Correia Leitao University of Beira Interior and Technical University of Lisbon |
| By: | Erika Badillo (Faculty of Economics, University of Barcelona); Rosina Moreno (Faculty of Economics, University of Barcelona) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we analyse the heterogeneity in firms’ decisions to engage in R&D cooperation, taking into account the type of partner (other companies from the same group, suppliers or customers, competitors, and research institutions) and the sector to which the firm belongs (industrial or services). We use information from the Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) for the years 2006-2008 and estimate multivariate probit models corrected for endogeneity. We find that the determinants of R&D cooperation differ between sectors. In the industrial sector, the perception of risk as an obstacle to innovation reduces the likelihood of cooperating with companies in the same group and competitors, while in the service sector it reduces cooperation with suppliers or customers. For its part, the possibility of accessing additional human resources has a significantly positive effect on cooperation with all types of partner in the service sector, but not for manufactures.. |
| Keywords: | R&D cooperation; Choice of partners; Industrial sector; Service sector; Innovative Spanish firms. JEL classification: O30; O32; L24; L60; L80. |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ira:wpaper:201213&r=sbm |
| By: | Abiodun A. Egbetokun (Friedrich-Schiller University, Graduate College "Economics of Innovative Change", and National Centre for Technology Management (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology), Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria) |
| Abstract: | Analysing the relationship between firms' openness to external knowledge and their innovation performance is nothing new. What is new is studying how this relationship fares in latecomer economic contexts such as Nigeria, and that is the focus of this paper. Using unique micro-level innovation data, it is shown, as the existing literature suggests, that firms are more likely to innovate when they access external knowledge either through formal or through informal interactions. However, innovative firms that exploit external knowledge do not necessarily enjoy greater innovation benefits than those that do not. Thus, while openness to external knowledge might help firms to become better at innovating, it does not assist them in reaping the benefits derivable from their innovation efforts. Moreover, different innovation types are essentially the same with respect to the effect that network resources have on them. Thus, it makes little sense to engage network partners selectively for certain innovation types at the expense of others. |
| Keywords: | innovation, networking, openness, collaboration, external knowledge, Nigeria, manufacturing industry |
| JEL: | O31 L14 L60 |
| Date: | 2012–07–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2012-037&r=sbm |
| By: | Michael Fritsch (School of Economics and Business Administration, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena); Michael Wyrwich (School of Economics and Business Administration, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena) |
| Abstract: | We investigate the persistence of levels of self-employment and new business formation in different time periods and under different framework conditions. The analysis shows that high levels of regional self-employment and new business formation tend to be persistent for periods as long as 80 years and that such an entrepreneurial culture can even survive abrupt and drastic changes in the politic-economic environment. We thus conclude that regional entrepreneurship cultures do exist and that they have long-lasting effects. |
| Keywords: | Entrepreneurship, self-employment, new business formation, persistence, culture |
| JEL: | L26 R11 O11 |
| Date: | 2012–07–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2012-036&r=sbm |
| By: | Bah, El-hadj M.; Cooper, Geoff |
| Abstract: | This paper uses survey data collected from Kalaymyo, a small urban city in North West Myanmar, to characterize firms and analyze the constraints limiting their growth. The level of firm ownership is very high but most firms are small, informal, operated out of the home, earning low income and with no employees. The most binding constraints are related to financing constraints, especially lack of access to informal credit. This is followed by the high degree of competition as the majority of firms are small retailers selling non-differentiated goods. This lack of credit combined with an apparent aversion to debt, limits the ability of entrepreneurs to take advantage of the high returns available on investment. We find that firms that made a capital investment over the last three years are significantly more profitable than those that did not. |
| Keywords: | rural investment climate; enterprize development; poverty reduction; Myanmar |
| JEL: | O53 O10 L20 |
| Date: | 2012–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39819&r=sbm |
| By: | Wignaraja, Ganeshan (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses factors driving firm-level export performance in Asia’s super exporter—The People’s Republic of China (PRC). While early studies suggested that innovation was important, there has been little research on opening up the black box of technology at firm-level in the PRC, the author undertakes econometric analysis of innovation, learning, and exporting in automobiles and electronics firms in the PRC using a large-scale dataset to identify the most appropriate innovation proxy. Drawing on recent literature on innovation and learning in developing countries, it tests two alternative proxies: (i) a technology index (TI) to capture a variety of minor activities involved in using imported technologies efficiently; and (ii) the research and development (R&D)-to-sales ratio, which represents formal technological efforts to create new products and processes, often at world frontiers. |
| Keywords: | prc; innovation; automobiles; electronics |
| JEL: | F23 L63 O31 O32 O57 |
| Date: | 2012–07–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0365&r=sbm |
| By: | Rollin, Anne-Marie |
| Abstract: | This paper looks at annual changes in Canadian business sector employment from 2001 to 2009. This period encompasses an expansionary phase (2001 to 2008), followed by a recession (2008/2009). Firm-level data are used to decompose yearly net employment change into gross employment creation and destruction, which makes it possible to measure the size of total annual employment reallocation. These measures of employment turnover are compared across industries and firm size classes. |
| Keywords: | Business performance and ownership, Business adaptation and adjustment, Entry, exit, mergers and growth, Small and medium-sized businesses |
| Date: | 2012–06–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stc:stcp1e:2012024e&r=sbm |