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on Economics of Strategic Management |
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Issue of 2012‒05‒22
eight papers chosen by Joao Jose de Matos Ferreira University of the Beira Interior |
| By: | Hülsbeck, Marcel; Kitzinger, Elena N. |
| Abstract: | Similar to the creation and distribution of new knowledge through industrial R&D and university research, entrepreneurial activity tends to vary across regions. Therefore the regionalized production of new knowledge is a prerequisite of entrepreneurial innovation. Based on endogenous growth theory, in particular the so-called Griliches-Jaffe-Model of regional knowledge production, we investigate industrial and university characteristics as determinants of technologically oriented entrepreneurship. Using hand-collected data from multiple sources, our results clearly show that high technology entrepreneurship is highly dependent on regional knowledge production by industry and university, while medium technology entrepreneurship does largely not dependent on these factors. -- |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:auguow:0311&r=cse |
| By: | Maureen McKelvey (University of Gothenburg, Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, School of Business, Economics and Law); Bastian Rake (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Graduate College "The Economics of Innovative Change") |
| Abstract: | This paper explores how and why collaboration with different types of partners and the position within a research network can affect firms' innovative performance in terms of product innovations. A detailed empirical analysis is carried out in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. This industry is characterized by a rapidly developing, complex, and dispersed knowledge base, where one would expect positive benefits from collaboration and the position within a network for innovative output. The paper uses a unique dataset in pharmaceutical cancer research based on scientific co-publications and new drug approvals. We apply social network analysis and count data regressions. We observe that collaboration with a diverse set of partners from academia and the network position in terms of eigenvector centrality is positively related to product innovation. However, we do not find a general positive association between collaboration, particularly with biotechnology companies, and product innovation or between central network positions and product innovation. Therefore, these results require a re-assessment of the role of scientific collaboration and biotechnology companies in the development of the pharmaceutical industry. |
| Keywords: | Research Networks, Research Collaboration, Innovative Performance, Pharmaceuticals |
| JEL: | L25 O31 |
| Date: | 2012–05–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2012-021&r=cse |
| By: | Baum, Joel A.C. (University of Toronto); Cowan, Robin (UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, Maastricht University, and BETA, Universite de Strassbourg); Jonard, Nicolas (University of Luxembourg) |
| Abstract: | Although intuitively appealing (and common), drawing network strategy implications from empirical evidence of network performance effects in pooled cross-section is not necessarily warranted. This is because network positions can influence both the mean and variance of firm performance. Strategic prescriptions are warranted if empirically observed network effects reflect increases in mean firm performance. If network effects reflect increases in firm performance variance, however, such prescriptions are warranted only if the increase in the odds of achieving high performance is sufficient to compensate for the concomitant increase in the odds of realizing poor performance. Our simulation study, designed to examine network performance effects in both pooled cross-section and within-firm over time across a wide range of conditions, counsels caution in drawing implications for network strategies. We discuss the implications of our findings for research on network effects, and more broadly for drawing strategic inferences from studies of firm performance in pooled cross-section. |
| Keywords: | network formation, strategic alliances, innovation, network strategy, interfirm networks |
| JEL: | L14 L20 D85 O30 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2012044&r=cse |
| By: | Czarnitzki, Dirk; Delanote, Julie |
| Abstract: | Young Innovative Companies (YIC) gained increasing attention from governments and scholars due to their expected high innovative performance and growth. Consequently, this study investigates whether Young Innovative Companies, as defined by the EU, grow more than other firms, both in terms of employment and in terms of sales. Using a database of Flemish firms over the years 2001-2008 reveals that these firms do grow significantly more than other firms. In addition, this study shows that YICs can be differentiated from New Technology Based Firms and small young firms in terms of growth, pointing to the importance of combining the individual properties characterizing YICs, that is being young (<6 years), small (<250 employees) and R&D intensive (R&D intensity > 15%). In our estimations, we also take the underlying distribution of the growth variables into account by performing quantile regressions. The results of these quantile regressions reveal that YICs especially grow faster than the other, already fast-growing firms, indicating that they are high performers. In addition, we never find that these companies perform significantly worse than the other firms. -- |
| Keywords: | Young Innovative Companies,Growth |
| JEL: | M13 L25 O33 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:12030&r=cse |
| By: | Bronwyn H. Hall; Francesca Lotti; Jacques Mairesse |
| Abstract: | Both Research and Development (R&D) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) investment have been identified as sources of relative innovation underperformance in Europe vis-à-vis the United States. In this paper we investigate R&D and ICT investment at the firm level in an effort to assess their relative importance and to what extent they are complements or substitutes. We use data on a large unbalanced panel data sample of Italian manufacturing firms constructed from four consecutive waves of a survey of manufacturing firms, together with a version of the CDM model (Crepon et al., 1998) that has been modified to include ICT investment and R&D as the two main inputs into innovation and productivity. We find that R&D and ICT are both strongly associated with innovation and productivity, with R&D being more important for innovation, and ICT investment being more important for productivity. For the median firm, rates of return to both investments are so high that they suggest considerably underinvestment in both these activities. |
| JEL: | L60 O31 O33 |
| Date: | 2012–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18053&r=cse |
| By: | Houthoofd, Noël (Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel (HUB)); Hendrickx, Jef (Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel (HUB)) |
| Abstract: | Purpose of the paper. This paper investigates whether product line breadth, innovation and company size can be linked with export performance. The focus is on the relationship between export performance and firm performance, especially for family brewers in Belgium. Research method. A questionnaire was sent to most family brewers in Belgium at the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010. 22 brewers participated in the survey. The case study of Duvel Moortgat relies heavily on press releases and annual accounts of the firm. Moderated regressions were used to test hypotheses. The case study is exemplary for the issues investigated. Findings. Product line breadth, innovation and firm size are not significantly correlated with export intensity. Export intensity in turn is also not significantly correlated with profits. But export intensity is beneficial for the growth of Belgian breweries. Product line breadth and innovation moderate the export intensity – firm performance relationship. The positive relationship between export intensity and firm performance is higher for high levels of innovation, while innovation in itself harms firm growth. Product line breadth in itself helps firm growth. However, the positive effect of export intensity on firm performance is higher for lower levels of product line breadth. The case of Duvel- Moortgat indicates that an equilibrated growth of sales and profits is possible and that internationalization and exports are an important part of the strategy. Practical implications. The paper shows that a more intensive export orientation is beneficial for the growth of the brewery. The case study of Duvel-Moortgat illustrates that there is no trade off between internal growth and external growth, and that firm performance can keep pace with internationalization. |
| Keywords: | Export performance, export intensity, growth, firm performance, beer brewing industry, Duvel- Moortgat |
| Date: | 2012–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hub:wpecon:201225&r=cse |
| By: | Nepelski, Daniel; De Prato, Giuditta |
| Abstract: | We apply network analysis to study the ICT R&D locations at the city level. We use a dataset on the location and R&D activity of over 3000 R&D centres belonging to 175 MNEs, located in over 1300 cities around the world. The results show that most of the cities have few R&D connections and are grouped into "cliques", linked through network hubs. Hence, not only is the R&D activity concentrated in space, but also the nexus of connections between locations is limited. Asian and Japanese cities are favoured as a source of R&D services, as compared to European or US cities. |
| Keywords: | Networks; innovation and R&D; globalization; R&D complexity; network |
| JEL: | M2 O32 M10 |
| Date: | 2012–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:38796&r=cse |
| By: | Torres, Anna; Bijmolt, Tammo H. A.; Tribó, Josep A.; Verhoef, Peter |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we argue that corporate social responsibility (CSR) to various stakeholders (customers, shareholders, employees, suppliers, and community) has a positive effect on global brand equity (BE). In addition, policies aimed at satisfying community interests help reinforce the credibility of social responsibility policies with other stakeholders.Wetest these theoretical contentions by using panel data comprised of 57 global brands originating from10 countries (USA, Japan, South Korea, France, UK, Italy, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, and The Netherlands) for the period from 2002 to 2008. Our findings show that CSR toward each of the stakeholder groups has a positive impact on global BE. In addition, global brands that follow local social responsibility policies in communities obtain strong positive benefits through the generation of BE, enhancing the positive effects of CSR toward other stakeholders, particularly customers. Therefore, for managers of global brands, when generating brand value, it is particularly effective to combine global strategies with the need to satisfy the interests of local communities. |
| Keywords: | Global brands; Brand equity; Corporate social responsibility; Stakeholders; |
| Date: | 2012–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ner:carlos:info:hdl:10016/14272&r=cse |