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on Economics of Strategic Management |
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Issue of 2013‒10‒11
24 papers chosen by Joao Jose de Matos Ferreira University of the Beira Interior |
| By: | Evgeniy Kutsenko (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for S&T, Innovation and Information Policies, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University – Higher School of Economics (HSE),); Dirk Meissner (Deputy Head, Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University Higher School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Cluster policy is recognized as one of the pivotal elements of state-of-art innovation policy. State support for clusters helps to take into account regional peculiarities and engage the most innovative local actors into the process of innovation policy drafting and implementation. Cluster development stimulates trust building and enhances knowledge spillovers among different organizations in the region. Finally the cluster approach makes innovation policy more systemic by coordinating measures aimed to support different actors (large companies, SMEs, universities, venture funds) towards comprehensive efforts linking the most perspective localized industries (ecosystems). The development of clusters has been determined as one of the priorities of the Strategy of Innovative Development of the Russian Federation for the period to 2020 which was confirmed end 2010. In the framework of this Strategy the first national cluster program was launched in 2012. The paper is devoted to the detailed description of the background of the national cluster program in Russia and its first phase – the selection of the pilot innovative clusters – which was implemented last year. Special attention is given to the comparison of planned design of the Russian cluster program with such widely known cluster programs as the BioRegio, InnoRegio and Les poles de competitivite. The similarities and peculiarities of the Russian program have been defined that allowed to identify several most significant areas for improvement. |
| Keywords: | Clusters, knowledge spillovers, cluster policy, innovation policy. |
| JEL: | O14 O17 O25 O38 O P16 R11 R |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:wpbrp11sti2013&r=cse |
| By: | Acemoglu, Daron (MIT, CEPR and NBER); Akcigit, Ufuk (University of Pennsylvania and NBER); Bloom , Nicholas (Stanford University, NBER and CEPR); Kerr , William (Harvard University, Bank of Finland, and NBER) |
| Abstract: | We build a model of firm-level innovation, productivity growth and reallocation featuring endogenous entry and exit. A key feature is the selection between high- and low-type firms, which differ in terms of their innovative capacity. We estimate the parameters of the model using detailed US Census micro data on firm-level output, R&D and patenting. The model provides a good fit to the dynamics of firm entry and exit, output and R&D, and its implied elasticities are in the ballpark of a range of micro estimates. We find industrial policy subsidizing either the R&D or the continued operation of incumbents reduces growth and welfare. For example, a subsidy to incumbent R&D equivalent to 5% of GDP reduces welfare by about 1.5% because it deters entry of new high-type firms. On the contrary, substantial improvements (of the order of 5% improvement in welfare) are possible if the continued operation of incumbents is taxed while at the same time R&D by incumbents and new entrants is subsidized. This is because of a strong selection effect: R&D resources (skilled labor) are inefficiently used by low-type incumbent firms. Subsidies to incumbents encourage the survival and expansion of these firms at the expense of potential high-type entrants. We show that optimal policy encourages the exit of low-type firms and supports R&D by high-type incumbents and entry. |
| Keywords: | entry; growth; industrial policy; innovation; R&D; reallocation; selection |
| JEL: | E02 L11 O31 O32 O33 |
| Date: | 2013–09–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:bofrdp:2013_022&r=cse |
| By: | Maxim Kotsemir (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies, Junior Research Fellow.); Alexander Abroskin (National Research University Higher School of Economics; Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, Department for Strategic Foresight, Chief Research Fellow, Associate Professor, Doctor of science); Dirk Meissner (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies, Deputy Laboratory Head.) |
| Abstract: | This paper is devoted to the analysis of evolution of innovation concepts, aspects and types. First emergence and evolution of different aspects and concepts of innovation are analyzed, and then the development of innovation concepts from a historical perspective and finally an overview of the types of innovation classifications developed in the literature are given. Complementary the different definitions of innovation are described and analyzed in detail. The main goal of the article is to identify, describe and visualize the development trend of innovation conceptualization and understanding over time |
| Keywords: | innovation concepts, innovation types, aspects of innovation, innovation systems, innovation ecosystems, typology of innovation, product innovation, process innovation, service innovation, marketing innovation, organization innovation, business innovation |
| JEL: | B10 B20 O31 O32 O33 Q55 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:wpbrp05sti2013&r=cse |
| By: | Leonid Gokhberg (National Research University Higher School of Economics, First Vice Rector; Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of knowledge); Tatiana Kuznetsova (National Research University Higher School of Economics. Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of knowledge. Director of the Centre for S&T, Innovation and Information Policies); Vitaly Roud (National Research University Higher School of Economics. Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of knowledge. Research assistant); Stanislav Zaichenko (National Research University Higher School of Economics. Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of knowledge. Senior research assistant) |
| Abstract: | “Monitoring innovation activities of innovation process participants” is a project which has been carried out by the Higher School of Economics (HSE) for several years to promote monitoring and analysis of innovation issues in general, and on specific activities of its particular actors from a scientific research perspective. The project is aimed at accumulating empirical knowledge about the nature and types of interaction between various actors of the national innovation system. In 2009-2010 the study was targeted at manufacturing and service sector companies while the 2010-2011 study targeted at R&D organisations. The specific objective for 2011 was studying various aspects of applied research organisations’ involvement in the innovation process (application of R&D results in the economy). The study yielded the following results: - A concept for monitoring R&D organisations’ innovation activities was proposed, including operational definition of such activities; - Survey programme and tools to monitor Russian R&D organisations were developed, including advanced methodological and procedural approaches as well as practical experience; - Results of R&D organisations’ innovation activities survey were analysed and compared with available statistical data; the collected data also allows to identify and systematise various factors and conditions affecting innovation activities of these organisations; Eventually areas for updating the survey’s concept and tools were identified |
| Keywords: | R&D institutions, public research institutes, S&T results, knowledge transfer, technology transfer, innovation, research management, innovation management, microdata, Russia |
| JEL: | O31 O32 O33 O38 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:wpbrp06sti2013&r=cse |
| By: | Alessandra Colombelli (GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis [UNS] - CNRS : UMR6227); Francesco Quatraro (GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - CNRS : UMR7321 - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis [UNS]) |
| Abstract: | The paper investigates the patterns of persistence of innovation and of the properties of firms' knowledge base (KB) across a sample of Italian firms in the period 1998-2006. The analysis draws upon a theoretical representation of knowledge as a collective good, stemming from the recombination of knowledge bits that are fragmented and dispersed across economic agents. On this basis, we derived properties of the KB like the coherence, the cognitive distance and the variety, and investigated their patterns of persistence over time. The empirical analysis is implemented by exploring the autocorrelation structure of such properties within a quantile regression framework. The results suggest that the properties of knowledge are featured by somewhat peculiar patterns as compared to knowledge stock, and that such evidence is also heterogeneous across firms in different quantiles. |
| Keywords: | Persistence; Innovation; Knowledge Coherence; Variety; Cognitive Distance; Quantile regression; autocorrelation |
| Date: | 2013–09–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00867132&r=cse |
| By: | Dinh Thi Thanh Binh (Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University); Le Minh Ngoc (Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University); Nguyen Huu Thinh (Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University); Bui Cao Khai (Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University); Tran Duy Hung (Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University); Nguyen Viet Duong (Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University); Le Thi Thu Trang (Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University) |
| Abstract: | This paper applies the ordinary least square regression model to estimate the effects of the human capital on the business performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. We exploit the cross-sectional data of SMEs for the year 2009. The estimated results show that basic and professional education of the firm owner are important factors affecting the success of the firm. Further, experience in owning a business before can help the firm owners enhance their performance. Finally, knowledge from learning is seen to have a strong effect on entrepreneurial performance. |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dpc:wpaper:0313&r=cse |
| By: | G. Parmentier (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - CNRS : UMR5820 - Université Pierre-Mendès-France - Grenoble II); Vincent Mangematin (MTS - Management Technologique et Strategique - Grenoble École de Management (GEM)) |
| Abstract: | The digital creative industries exemplify innovation processes in which user communities are highly involved in product and service development, bringing new ideas, and developing tools for new product uses and environments. We explore the role of user communities in such co-innovation processes via four case studies of interrelations between firms and their communities. The digitization and virtualization of firm/community interactions are changing how boundaries are defined and how co-innovation is managed. The transformation of innovation management is characterized by three elements: opening and redefining firm boundaries; opening of products and services to community input and reducing property rights; and reshaping organization and product identities. Innovation in collaboration with user communities requires firms to orchestrate their communities and their inter-relationships to encourage the creativity and motivation of users, and develop the community's innovatory capacity. |
| Keywords: | Online communities; User; Innovation; Video game; Community management; Co-innovation |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:gemptp:halshs-00848861&r=cse |
| By: | Ghisetti, Claudia; Rennings, Klaus |
| Abstract: | Much of the empirical literature analysing the relation between environmental innovation and competitiveness has focused on the question whether 'it pays to be green'. We differentiate between different types of environmental innovations, which will be disentangled in those aiming at reducing the negative externalities and those allowing for efficiency increases and cost savings. What we analyze is at first the extent to which these two typologies have impacts on firms' profitability with opposite signs, and, secondly, whether the motivations driving the adoption of those innovations make the difference in terms of economic gains. We find empirical evidence that both the typology of Environmental Innovation and the driver of their adoption affect the sign of the relationship between competitiveness and environmental performance. The empirical strategy is based on a sample of German firms and makes use of a merge of two waves of the Mannheim Innovation Panel in 2011 and 2009 that allow overcoming some endogeneity issues which may arise in a cross-section setting. -- |
| Keywords: | Profitability,Externality Reducing Innovations,Energy and Material Efficiency Innovations,Mannheim Innovation Panel |
| JEL: | Q55 Q20 M10 K32 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:13073&r=cse |
| By: | Stadler, Manfred |
| Abstract: | We develop a dynamic stochastic general-equilibrium model of science, education and innovation to explain the simultaneous emergence of innovation clusters and stochastic growth cycles. Firms devote human-capital resources to research activities in order to invent higher quality products. The technological requirements in climbing up the quality ladders increase over time but this hampering effect is compensated for by an improving qualification of researchers allowing for a sustainable process of innovation and scale-invariant growth. Jumps in human capital, triggered by scientific breakthroughs, induce innovation clusters across industries and generate long-run growth cycles. -- |
| Keywords: | Science,Education,Innovation clusters,Stochastic growth cycles |
| JEL: | C61 E32 O33 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tuewef:60&r=cse |
| By: | Prostolupow, Irene; Pyka, Andreas; Heller-Schuh, Barbara |
| Abstract: | Research networks are regarded as channels for knowledge creation and diffusion and are thus essential for the development and integration of economies. In this paper we have a look at the long Turkish-German-migration history which should offer opportunities for both countries to benefit from brain circulation, transnational entrepreneurs and research networks. The present paper examines the structure of research networks of the European Framework Programmes (FP) that are established by joint participation of organizations in research projects, in particular German research organizations with Turkish participants in FP5 to FP7 in the knowledge-intensive technology fields ICT, Biotechnology and Nanoscience. A better understanding of these networks allows for improving the design of research policies at national levels as well as at the EU level. The empirical examination of network properties reveals that the diverse networks show a range of similarities in the three technology fields in each FP such as the small-world properties. Moreover, our findings show that German actors play a specific role in most examined research networks with Turkish participation. -- |
| Keywords: | Turkish-German-migration history,brain circulation,innovation networks,research networks,EU Framework Programmes,small-world characteristics,centrality measures |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:fziddp:792013&r=cse |
| By: | Hasan, Iftekhar (Fordham University and Bank of Finland); O’Brien, Jonathan (Lally School of Management & Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); Ye , Pengfei (Lally School of Management &Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates whether institutional bond blockholders (i.e., bond funds that hold more than 5% of a firm’s outstanding bonds) impede firm innovative activities, and if they do, through which channels. We find that long-term bond blockholders do not discourage firms from conducting innovative activities. Short-term bond blockholders, however, significantly reduce both firm investments in R&D and the innovative quality of these investments. Furthermore, their negative impact is stronger than the negative impact of short-term stockholders. Our results cannot be fully explained by short-term bondholders’ a priori investment preferences and are robust to possible endogeneity concerns. Overall, they suggest that the option of the ‘Wall Street walk’ allows bondholders to exert considerable influence on firms’ risk-taking decisions. |
| Keywords: | bondholder; innovation; investment horizon; Wall Street walk |
| JEL: | G23 G31 |
| Date: | 2013–10–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:bofrdp:2013_023&r=cse |
| By: | Elena Nikolova (EBRD); Dora Simroth (European School of Management and Technology) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the effect of religious and linguistic diversity in a given locality on individual entrepreneurial behaviour, and finds that cultural diversity and entrepreneurship follow an inverted U-shaped pattern. We make three theoretical contributions. Unlike previous research, we are able to analyse both the attempt to establish an entrepreneurial business (‘entrepreneurial trial’) and success of entrepreneurs. Moreover, we argue that the two types of diversity matter at different stages of entrepreneurship – religious diversity is tightly linked to entrepreneurial trial, while linguistic heterogeneity affects entrepreneurial success. In addition, by identifying a non-linear relationship between diversity and entrepreneurship, we put into perspective previous research that is divided on whether cultural heterogeneity positively or negatively affects firm, regional and country performance. We use a new survey data set that covers more than 30,000 households in eastern Europe and central Asia (the Life in Transition Survey 2010). |
| Keywords: | entrepreneurship, transition region, diversity |
| JEL: | L26 P31 Z12 |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ebd:wpaper:158&r=cse |
| By: | Schön, Benjamin; Pyka, Andreas |
| Abstract: | With mergers & acquisitions playing an increasingly important role in today's business world, academic research has strived to follow this trend by investigating their underlying causes and consequences. For a long time this research focused on the analysis of the financial effect of mergers & acquisitions as measured by market value or debt level. Thus, despite being a major vehicle of industry concentration and method of reallocation of resources, the technological impact of mergers & acquisitions remained comparatively underinvestigated for a long time. This, however, has changed in recent years. With the prevalence of the resource-based view and its derivates as the dominant logic in analysing today's knowledge-intensive industries the focus shifted towards the technological aspects of mergers & acquisitions. With both mergers & acquisitions and innovation being centrepieces of competitive strategies in the modern economy, it is of central importance to understand the consequences of mergers & acquisitions for the innovative potential of firms. After more than twenty years of research in this field, it is time to take stock of what we know about the technological impact of mergers & acquisitions and its determinants. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the respective research by performing a meta-analysis of the empirical studies in the field. The intuitive setup allows for a detailed analysis of the individual determinants while differentiating between the impact on innovation input and output. We identify the knowledge characteristics of the partnering firms as being essential to the technological success of mergers & acquisitions. Important implications for policy makers, practitioners and future research are derived. -- |
| Keywords: | Innovation,Mergers and Acquisitions |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:fziddp:782013&r=cse |
| By: | Ron Boschma; Matté Hartog |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the extent to which merger and acquisition activity contributed to the spatial clustering of the Dutch banking industry in Amsterdam. This analysis is based on a unique database of all banks in the Netherlands that existed in the period 1850-1993. We found that spatial clustering of the Dutch banking industry was not driven by the fact that banks performed better in the Amsterdam region: being located in Amsterdam decreased rather than increased the survival chance of banks. However, banks in Amsterdam were disproportionally active in acquiring other banks outside Amsterdam. Experience in M&As accumulated mainly in the Amsterdam region, which in turn had a positive impact on the survival chance of banks located there. Our findings suggest that M&A activity was a driving force behind the spatial clustering of the Dutch banking industry between 1850 and 1993. |
| Keywords: | industrial dynamics, cluster, mergers and acquisitions, banking sector, evolutionary economic geography |
| JEL: | O18 R00 R11 |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:egu:wpaper:1315&r=cse |
| By: | Isabel Álvarez (Departamento de Economía Aplicada II & Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Campus de Somosaguas 28223- Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid)); Celia Torrecillas (Institute for International Integration Studies, Trinity College Dublin and Universidad de Jaén & Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales) |
| Abstract: | The recent emergence of new multinational enterprises from developing countries (EMNE) is challenging some basic pillars of the theory of the firm' internationalization and provides new insights for development studies. In this paper we test empirically what aspects at the home country level may facilitate the promotion and success of EMNE that permits the generation of firms' specific advantages in developing contexts. Their identification would complement the explanation of the EMNE phenomena from a country perspective, underlying that institutions and technology are key fields for the definition of policy implications and actions. In the empirical analysis, we use panel data for both developed and developing economies in the period 1996-2009 to capture the international differences and the dynamics in a cross-country study. From a perspective of home national systems of innovation, our contribution shows that the presence of some factors at national level are critical in the definition of a capabilities' accumulation process that enhances the generation of EMNE, and what are the distinctive features in the case of developing economies. |
| Keywords: | Emerging Multinational Enterprises, Developing Countries, Outward FDI, National Systems of Innovation |
| JEL: | A20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iis:dispap:iiisdp434&r=cse |
| By: | Lei Ji (Ofce sciences-po,skema Business school) |
| Abstract: | I consider directed technical change in an economy where market structure is endogenous. Endogeneity of market structure leads to both theoretical and empirical implications that are substantially different from those in the existing literature and that in some cases are rather surprising. There are two dimensions of directed technical change: directed firm entry new firms enter the industry with higher returns and directed in-house research and development (R&D is higher in the industry with higher returns.). Directed firm entry responds to the industry market size effect and the price effect as in the existing literature. In sharp contrast to the existing literature, directed R&D depends on firm rather than industry market size. Furthermore, the firm’s market size is endogenous, and its response to economic conditions affect several results on the behavior of directed technical change. The endogeneity of firm size has generally been ignored in the previous literature. Directed technical change alters the relative demands for factors of production and leads to a change in relative factor returns. Directed firm entry changes relative factor returns through a social return to variety an externality, and directed RD changes relative factor returns through changes in relative factor productivities. Empirically, the second channel is the main force shaping relative factor productivities and hence relative factor returns. The model also includes fixed operating cost, which turns out to be important for the direction of RD and for the existence of balanced growth path BGP for the economy. The model provides a complete solution for the economy’s transition dynamics as well as its balanced growth path. |
| Keywords: | Directed technical change.Endogenous market structure,Relative factor returns |
| JEL: | E25 O30 O31 O33 |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fce:doctra:1318&r=cse |
| By: | Natalia Shmatko (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, Department for Human Capital Studies, head of Department) |
| Abstract: | The paper highlights key research questions that concern skills and abilities of highly qualified personnel who are employed in the innovation related professions in the labour market. Developing a national system of competencies which would allow selecting and training personnel capable of creating and applying innovations is a very challenging task. The solution implies first of all the construction of the relevant methodologies and tools for the assessment of competencies acquired during vocational education and training and competencies required at working places. A survey of engineers conducted by the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in 2011 strives for moving beyond the simple slogans of the knowledge economy and the received wisdom about shifts from low to higher skills, from blue to white collars. This study investigates how far the trend in skill requirements follows market expectations. Two large groups of highly qualified STI personnel are studied: the first includes the engineering and technical personnel with top-level qualifications employed by industrial enterprises, the other involves the staff of research, development, design organisations whose responsibilities include R&D (à total of 3158 graduates were surveyed). The paper is organized as follows. First, the data collection approach and analysis methodology are introduced and results discussed. Second, engineering education and application of acquired skills are analysed. The paper concludes with a summary of the major findings that show the important role of ‘general’ competencies required from engineers at their jobs, such as self-organisation, openness to new information, the ability and willingness to learn, and communication skills. |
| Keywords: | competency; innovation economy; engineers, graduates; knowledge economy; labour market; researchers; skills; vocational education and training. |
| JEL: | I2 L2 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:wpbrp13sti2013&r=cse |
| By: | Liliana Proskuryakova (Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies, National Research University “Higher School of Economics”); Gulnara Abdrakhmanova (Director Center for Statistics and Monitoring of Information Society, National Research University “Higher School of Economics”); Hans Pitlik (WIFO - Austrian Institute of Economic Research) |
| Abstract: | The paper aims at assessing indicators and individual elements of e-government of selected countries in 2009-2010, and the interrelation of e-government with corruption in the public sector. The authors explore possible causal and dependency relations of the established interlink between e-government and public sector corruption. Although it is universally acknowledged that corruption is an evil, there is much debate over which determinants of corruption are important. Using econometric analysis for sizeable country samples the authors verified the closeness of interrelation between e-government indicators and ICT Development Index indicators, such as online services quality and ICT usage, on one hand, and the level of perceived public sector corruption, on the other hand. The major research papers were analyzed, along with international rankings and databases of international organizations. Based on the analysis recommendations for overcoming international e-government measurement constraints are put forward, as well as suggestions for future studies of the topic |
| Keywords: | Public sector, innovation, e-government, ICT, corruption |
| JEL: | D73 H70 P17 O33 Z18 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:wpbrp04sti2013&r=cse |
| By: | Ashima Goyal (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research; Institute of Economic Growth) |
| Abstract: | The paper explores the contribution of innovations to Indian growth. Inclusive innovations aid catch-up and close productivity gaps. An analytical framework helps to characterize policies that contribute to such innovations. Recent telecommunication and mobile banking policies are assessed against these. While policy can directly encourage it, if innovation depends on market size above a threshold, policies that expand size can be more effective in inducing innovation. While policy successfully expanded mobile use, increasing revenue has recently taken precedence over expanding the market. Poor provision of the relevant infrastructure continues to exclude sections of the population and limit spillovers. Regulatory measures that limited market size were partly responsible for India's lack of success in mobile banking, compared to Pakistan. |
| Keywords: | Inclusive innovation, technology policy, telecom, mobile banking |
| JEL: | O31 O33 O38 |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ind:igiwpp:2013-018&r=cse |
| By: | Peter Sturm (Governance consultant, 14 rue Corot, 78370 Plaisir, France) |
| Abstract: | Development theory has increasingly focused on public sector governance and pertinent institutions as key determinants of successful development. This paper discusses the concepts of public sector governance and alternative development indicators. Both theory and empirical evidence investigated suggest a significant interrelationship between a country’s quality of public sector governance, the institutions shaping it, and development performance, however measured. Quantitative measures of these concepts are then used to depict Vietnam’s comparative performance in the pertinent areas. The main result of this comparison is that Vietnam’s development performance – whether measured by the level of GDP pc or the Human Development Index – ranks in the second lowest quintile among the 178 national economies for which comparable date exist. This weak performance is then related to the country’s public sector governance ranking, which is similarly unimpressive. It is argued that Vietnam’s lagging performance regarding relevant aspects of governance holds back the country’s broader development. The paper then discusses opportunities for and obstacles to improving public sector governance: Readily available information on governance principles and corresponding institutional structures prevailing in the “best practice” countries (e.g. Norway, New Zealand, Denmark etc.), and these countries’ willingness to share their expertise, offer the opportunity for other countries to improve their own performance by adapting top performers’ practices and experience to their own local conditions. The key to such knowledge transfer is the political will to implement it, and the major obstacles to doing so are the resistance from entrenched interest groups, combined with the inertia of some pertinent “cultural” characteristics. |
| Keywords: | governance, development, business climate, Vietnam. |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dpc:wpaper:0213&r=cse |
| By: | Olivera Kostoska; Pece Mitrevski |
| Abstract: | Within the last two decades, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been observed as one of the prime instruments in the process of restructuring the European economies in transition. Many scholars argue that FDI is expected to be a source of valuable technology transfer thus might certainly have positive effects on host country development efforts. Nonetheless, there are no clear-cut findings about the FDI genuine performances in supporting the economic growth, productivity and export improvements within the European transition countries. Using a large and comprehensive data set, we will therefore analyze the linkage between FDI and above mentioned variables, so as to recommend national policy appropriate measures aimed at averting negative and strengthening the positive FDI spillovers. |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1310.1342&r=cse |
| By: | Jienwatcharamongkhol, Viroj (The Ratio Institute & Department of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Recent literature suggests that the extent to which exports of a product is influenced by distance depends on the product characteristics. Differentiated products with non-standardised attributes are typically claimed to be more distance-sensitive as transactions should involve interactions between buyers and sellers. But the empirical evidence still finds conflicting results. Previous studies have examined the effect of distance on export values across different product groups. This paper employs a gravity model on Swedish firm-product level export data to analyse the effect of distance on the export decisions as well as export values, respectively. The focus is on how the influence of distance varies across differentiated and non-differentiated products. For both export participation and intensity decisions, the results are not in line with the network/search view and suggest that homogeneous products are more sensitive to distance than differentiated products when controlling for annual shocks and industry heterogeneity. Moreover, I find evidence of a learning effect from past trade experience. |
| Keywords: | distance sensitivity; export decisions; gravity model; firmproduct level; micro-data |
| JEL: | F12 F14 F41 |
| Date: | 2013–10–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ratioi:0220&r=cse |
| By: | Ekaterina Khramova (Research Fellow, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge); Dirk Meissner (Deputy Head, Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University Higher School of Economics); Galina Sagieva (Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge; Department Head, Department for Research of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer) |
| Abstract: | Patent data provide a rich set of information which can be used for comparative studies and trend analysis. The paper presents a systematic overview of the most appropriate tools methodologies that are available for determining the technological specialization of countries. Such analysis includes a discussion of databases, approaches, and indexes appropriate for this kind of analysis. This paper discusses different indicators of technological specialisation, concentration, and patent quality are analysed, including Revealed Technological Advantage (RTA) index, patent share, C20 concentration index, and Gini concentration index. the main available patent databases, especially those with open access, and summarizes arguments for the study of technological specialisation based on assignee and inventor patent data. Also the limits and potentials of the statistics on resident / nonresident patenting on internal and external markets are discussed in the paper. |
| Keywords: | Revealed Technological Advantage (RTA) index, patent share, C20 concentration index, Gini concentration index, country technological position |
| JEL: | O31 O32 O33 O34 O47 O57 L24 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:wpbrp09sti2013&r=cse |
| By: | Marta C. N. Simões (GEMF/ Faculty of Economics University of Coimbra, Portugal); Adelaide Duarte (GEMF/ Faculty of Economics University of Coimbra, Portugal) |
| Abstract: | The persistence of relative low aggregate income and productivity levels and performance in Portugal might be linked to the strong weight of services, and especially traditional stagnant personal services, which have fewer opportunities for enhancing its productivity. The so-called modern progressive services, such as financial and business services and communications, on the other hand, have registered higher labor productivity levels, since they are more receptive to the use of information technologies and are increasingly tradable across borders. However, these services sub-sectors demand higher levels of human capital and so the relatively low educational levels of the Portuguese workforce might have prevented Portugal from capitalizing on the opportunities provided by modern services growth and continue to do so in the future. In order to shed some light on these interactions we investigate the existence of causality among sectoral productivity, services sector expansion, human capital, and aggregate productivity over the period 1970-2006 in the Portuguese economy. The evidence suggests bi-directional causality only between sectoral and aggregate productivity, with sectoral employment shares and human capital not revealing themselves as relevant for the explanation of the other variables nor being influenced by them. Across services sub-sectors, community social and personal services seem to be the most influential sector, making a positive and lasting contribution to aggregate productivity, and this seems to be the reason why, at a higher level of aggregation, non-market services appear thus as positive contributor to aggregate productivity, while market services have no influence. |
| Keywords: | services, human capital, growth, Portugal |
| JEL: | L8 O14 O15 O52 |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gmf:wpaper:2013-21.&r=cse |