nep-cse New Economics Papers
on Economics of Strategic Management
Issue of 2023‒09‒11
nine papers chosen by
João José de Matos Ferreira, Universidade da Beira Interior


  1. Regional incidence and persistence of high-growth firms: Testing ideas from the Entrepreneurial Ecosystems literature By Alex Coad; Clemens Domnick; Pietro Santoleri; Stjepan Srhoj
  2. What drives university-industry collaboration? Research excellence or firm collaboration strategy? By Atta-Owusu, Kwadwo; Fitjar, Rune Dahl; Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés
  3. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLUSTER TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIES IN FRANCE AND RUSSIA By Ponomarenko, Elena (Пономаренко, Елена); Chuprova, Oksana (Чупрова, Оксана); Oddo, Virginie (Оддо, Виржини); Teslenko, Valentina (Тесленко, Валентина); Drozhzhin, Denis (Дрожжин, Денис)
  4. Accelerating Innovation Ecosystems: The Promise and Challenges of Regional Innovation Engines By Jorge Guzman; Fiona Murray; Scott Stern; Heidi L. Williams
  5. The Impact of Digital Transformation on Productivity and Resource Reallocation within Firms (Japanese) By FUKAO Kyoji; INUI Tomohiko; KIM Young Gak; KWON Hyeog Ug; IKEUCHI Kenta
  6. Towards Climate Neutrality: A Comprehensive Overview of Sustainable Operations Management, Optimization, and Wastewater Treatment Strategies By Vasileios Alevizos; Ilias Georgousis; Anna-Maria Kapodistria
  7. The role of human resource management practices on organizational innovation: The importance of innovation driven human resource practices By Ibrahim Tanko Gampine
  8. Capabilities, Institutions and Regional Economic Development: A Proposed Synthesis By Koen Frenken; Frank Neffke; Alje van Dam
  9. "Unlocking the Potential of Technological Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture in Developing Countries: Enhancing Resource Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability" By Yeboah, Samuel

  1. By: Alex Coad (Waseda University); Clemens Domnick (European Commission - JRC); Pietro Santoleri (European Commission - JRC); Stjepan Srhoj (University of Split)
    Abstract: Policy-makers and scholars often assume that a higher incidence of high-growth firms (HGFs) is synonymous with vibrant regional economic dynamics, and that HGF shares are persistent over time as Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EEs) have slowly-changing features. In this paper we test these hypotheses, which are deeply rooted in the EE literature. We draw upon Eurostat data for up to 20 countries over the period 2008-2020 and study HGF shares in NUTS-3 regions in Europe. Analysis of regional rankings yields the puzzling finding that the leading EEs in Europe, apparently, are in places such as southern Spain and southern Italy. These places would not normally be considered Europe’s foremost entrepreneurial hotspots. Additional results do not provide strong support for the hypothesis that more developed regions feature higher HGF shares. We do find evidence consistent with HGF shares displaying persistency over time. However, we show that more developed regions do not have higher persistence in their HGF shares, and that the strength in persistence does not increase across the HGFs distribution, which does not support path-dependency as the main mechanism behind the observed persistence. Overall, we call for a more nuanced interpretation of both regional HGF shares and the EEs literature.
    Keywords: Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, High-Growth Firms, Persistence, Firm Growth, Entrepreneurship Policy, Regional Policy
    Date: 2023–07
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:wpaper:202302&r=cse
  2. By: Atta-Owusu, Kwadwo; Fitjar, Rune Dahl; Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés
    Abstract: Research and innovation policy aims to boost research output and university-industry collaboration (UIC) in part to allow firms access to leading scientific knowledge. As part of their mission, universities in many countries are expected to contribute to innovation in their regions. However, the relationship between research output and UIC is unclear: research-intensive universities can produce frontier research, which is attractive to firms, but may simultaneously suffer from a gap between the research produced and the needs of local firms, as well as mission overload. This may hinder local firms’ ability to cooperate with universities altogether or force them to look beyond the region for other suitable universities to interact with. This paper investigates the relationship between the research output of local universities and firms’ participation in UICs across different geographical scales. It uses Community Innovation Survey (CIS) data for Norwegian firms and Scopus data on Norwegian universities’ research output across various disciplines. The results demonstrate that local university research intensity and quality are negatively associated with firm participation in UICs at the local level. Firm characteristics, in particular the firm's general strategy towards cooperation and its geography, turn out to be much more important than university characteristics in explaining UICs. Notably, firms’ cooperation with other external partners at the same scale is a strong predictor of UICs.
    Keywords: Firms; Norway; Research; Universities; University-industry collaboration; 209761
    JEL: R14 J01
    Date: 2021–12–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:112482&r=cse
  3. By: Ponomarenko, Elena (Пономаренко, Елена) (The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration); Chuprova, Oksana (Чупрова, Оксана) (The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration); Oddo, Virginie (Оддо, Виржини) (the University Côte d’Azur); Teslenko, Valentina (Тесленко, Валентина) (The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration); Drozhzhin, Denis (Дрожжин, Денис) (The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration)
    Abstract: The study examines mechanisms of interconnection and competitive cooperation between educational, research and business structures in the territory, interaction between universities, scientific laboratories and business structures in the development of territories for the innovation and modernization of existing technologies, and the development of digital technologies. The relevance of the study is determined by the contemporary development of individual regions (territories) in different countries around the world, which use cluster technologies as part of the new industrial policy for the development of international competitiveness of individual regions and the entire country. The aim of such networks is not just development, but also the implementation and realization of various products and technologies, including information products and technologies, in a variety of areas of activity. Balanced modern territorial development, including establishment of “smart” cities, is impossible without engaging the local educational structures, companies and scientific institutions in the process. One of the most successful examples of such cooperation is the cluster policy of today’s France, which managed to create a sensible model of interaction between universities, businesses and territorial administration bodies to find successful mechanisms for coordinating efforts of highly diverse structures, directing their actions towards common goals of economic and territorial development. Such experience, adapted to the Russian reality, is highly needed today for the implementation of large-scale programs to overcome the aftermath of the crisis caused by continuing economic and political sanctions against Russia. The Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation identifies “transition to advanced digital, intelligent production technologies, robotic systems, new materials and construction methods, creation of Big Data processing systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence” as the top priority of Russia's development for 10-15 years. The main purpose of the study is to substantiate effective models, necessary and sufficient conditions of institutional and infrastructural nature supporting competitive cooperation between science, education and territorial administrations for sustainable, balanced development, creation of innovative products, training of in-demand personnel (based on the generalization of Russian and adaptation of French experience); to study and use the specific tools of interaction mechanisms, incentives for all participants of networks in competitiveness clusters – between educational and scientific units of universities; between universities and business entities, and relations of all participants with the territorial communities. The following main fundamental and applied problems are addressed within the research: - Comparative analysis of the relationship between science, education and territorial administrations at the macroeconomic level; identification of the influence of education and science on the economic and innovative development of territories (regions); - Generalization of foreign experience in promoting digital technologies in the development of competitive cooperation of science, education and territories; - Studying the experience of France (poles of competitiveness, as well as new experimental institutions created by individual decrees of the President of France) in the formation of coordinators of development of the territory (megalopolis, metropolis, region, etc.); - Relevant issues of digital economy and digital state; - Analysis of the Russian experience in cluster development: higher educational institutions, scientific research, business, public administration (innovation clusters of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and industrial clusters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade), and the models of their interaction, identifying positive and negative instruments; - Development of recommendations to Russian higher educational institutions and all cluster members to expand their innovation activity in conditions of low demand for innovations; Research methods and methodology: The theoretical and methodological basis of the study are legislative and regulatory documents of the Russian Federation, European countries, international organizations in the field of education and science, cluster initiatives, scientific articles and monographs of modern French and Russian scientists, materials of scientific conferences, as well as a comparative analysis of international databases of key indicators in scientific research, online education, reports of international organizations. Methods of international comparative analysis. Methods of comparative analysis of socio-economic information. Methodology of comparative analysis of educational systems of different countries, taking into account their economic development level. Statistical analysis of regional and territorial development data in the field of education and innovations. Databases used: international statistics, Rosstat statistical compilations “Regions of Russia”, “Tekhuspekh” (Tech Success) rating of innovation-driven companies of Russia, HSE rating of innovation development of the Russian regions, reviews by rating agencies, data from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the French Republic, National Statistics Institute of France, statistical collections of Eurostat, etc. This research is implemented jointly with scientists of RANEPA partner university - University of Côte d'Azur, the coordinating center of territorial development of Metropolis Côte d'Azur in France. The results of this research can be used to the benefit of: a) RANEPA and other Russian higher education institutions interested in implementing international educational and research programs; b) Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, c) Rossotrudnichestvo; d) Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor) for: - generalizing foreign experience of the interconnection between science, education, business and territorial administrations; - analyzing the Russian experience of new industrial policy: higher education institutions, scientific research, business and state administration; - produce recommendations to Russian higher educational institutions to expand innovation activity given the low demand for innovation. Recommendations on adapting the most successful practices for enhancing the competitiveness of universities in the digital revolution era.
    Keywords: CLUSTERS, POLES OF COMPETITIVENESS, IMPLEMENTATION OF SCIENTIFIC RESULTS, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MANAGEMENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT, COORDINATION MECHANISMS OF HETEROGENEOUS STRUCTURES, INNOVATIVE PRODUCT, DIGITAL ECONOMY, DIGITAL STATE, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMPETITIVE COOPERATION
    Date: 2021–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rnp:wpaper:w20220101&r=cse
  4. By: Jorge Guzman; Fiona Murray; Scott Stern; Heidi L. Williams
    Abstract: Motivated by the establishment of major U.S. Federal programs seeking to harness the potential of regional innovation ecosystems, we assess the promise and challenges of place-based innovation policy interventions. Relative to traditional research grants, place-based innovation policy interventions are not directed toward a specific research project but rather aim to reshape interactions among researchers and other stakeholders within a given geographic location. The most recent such policy - the NSF “Engines” program - is designed to enhance the productivity and impact of the investments made within a given regional innovation ecosystem. The impact of such an intervention depends on whether, in its implementation, it induces change in the behavior of individuals and the ways in which knowledge is distributed and translated within that ecosystem. While this logic is straightforward, from it follows an important insight: innovation ecosystem interventions – Engines -- are more likely to succeed when they account for the current state of a given regional ecosystem (latent capacities, current bottlenecks, and economic and institutional constraints) and when they involve extended commitments by multiple stakeholders within that ecosystem. We synthesize the logic, key dependencies, and opportunities for real-time assessment and course correction for these place-based innovation policy interventions.
    JEL: D78 L2 O3
    Date: 2023–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31541&r=cse
  5. By: FUKAO Kyoji; INUI Tomohiko; KIM Young Gak; KWON Hyeog Ug; IKEUCHI Kenta
    Abstract: Prior studies have pointed out that the Japanese economy has lagged behind in IT and has not fully enjoyed the productivity benefits of IT investments, which has led to a prolonged slump in productivity growth to some extent. The spread of COVID-19 is forcing the Japanese economy to undergo digital transformation (DX), but there has been insufficient prior research in Japan on the impact of DX on corporate performance. This study analyzed the relationship between DX and corporate performance using firm-level data. The main findings are as follows: (1) IT investment is positively correlated with firm productivity, with the main contribution coming from software; (2) the establishment of a concurrent Chief Information Officer (CIO) is positively correlated with firm productivity, but the complementary relationship between CIO and IT investment is not confirmed; (3) there is no direct relationship between the introduction of new devices such as smartphones and tablets into the workplace and firm productivity; (4) there is no significant relationship between the use of big data within a company and productivity improvement; and (5) sharing data with supplier companies is positively related to corporate productivity, while sharing with customers is negatively correlated with firm productivity; and (6) IT investment by the Japanese headquarters has a weak positive correlation with the profit margin of overseas subsidiaries. For this study, we connected and analyzed firm-level data from the "ICT Workplace Survey", the "Basic Survey of Japanese Business Structure and Activities" and the "Basic Survey on Overseas Business Activities" conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the "Survey on Big Data Utilization and Innovation in Manufacturing" by RIETI and firm-level data provided by Tokyo Shoko Research (TSR)".
    Date: 2023–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:rdpsjp:23026&r=cse
  6. By: Vasileios Alevizos; Ilias Georgousis; Anna-Maria Kapodistria
    Abstract: Various studies have been conducted in the fields of sustainable operations management, optimization, and wastewater treatment, yielding unsubstantiated recovery. In the context of Europes climate neutrality vision, this paper reviews effective decarbonization strategies and proposes sustainable approaches to mitigate carbonization in various sectors such as building, energy, industry, and transportation. The study also explores the role of digitalization in decarbonization and reviews decarbonization policies that can direct governments action towards a climate-neutral society. The paper also presents a review of optimization approaches applied in the fields of science and technology, incorporating modern optimization techniques based on various peer-reviewed published research papers. It emphasizes non-conventional energy and distributed power generating systems along with the deregulated and regulated environment. Additionally, this paper critically reviews the performance and capability of micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) process in the treatment of dye wastewater. The review presents evidence of simultaneous removal of co-existing pollutants and explores the feasibility and efficiency of biosurfactant in-stead of chemical surfactant. Lastly, the paper proposes a novel firm-regulator-consumer interaction framework to study operations decisions and interactive cooperation considering the interactions among three agents through a comprehensive literature review on sustainable operations management. The framework provides support for exploring future research opportunities.
    Date: 2023–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2308.00808&r=cse
  7. By: Ibrahim Tanko Gampine (UPVM - Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3)
    Keywords: Human Resource Practices Dynamic Capability Theory Organizational Innovation Innovation-driven HRM Practices
    Date: 2023–06–22
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04177886&r=cse
  8. By: Koen Frenken; Frank Neffke; Alje van Dam
    Abstract: The capability framework in evolutionary economic geography views regional economic development as a process of related diversification through the acquisition of capabilities that render a regional economy more complex. Using this framework, we synthesize seven theoretical notions that hitherto remained rather disconnected: relatedness, complementarity, variety, complexity, diversification, agents of structural change, and related variety. We formulate a constructive critique of the capability framework, relaxing the overly restrictive assumption that the presence of capabilities in a region is both necessary and sufficient for complex products to be produced in a region. Instead, we argue that the complexity of a regional economy depends primarily on the institutions that support firms to coordinate production in complex value chains within and across regions. The augmented framework allows for closer integration of evolutionary and relational approaches in economic geography, providing new links between the literatures on clusters, innovation systems and global production networks.
    Keywords: diversification, relatedness, complexity, institution, value chain
    JEL: B52 O1 O43 R1
    Date: 2023–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:egu:wpaper:2318&r=cse
  9. By: Yeboah, Samuel
    Abstract: This paper examines the potential of technological innovations in promoting sustainable agriculture in developing countries. With challenges like population growth, climate change, and limited resources, there is a critical need for efficient and environmentally sustainable farming practices. Technological innovations offer promising solutions to address these challenges and enhance resource efficiency while minimizing negative environmental impacts. The paper emphasizes the urgency of leveraging technology to overcome barriers faced by developing countries in agriculture. It discusses various technological innovations that can improve resource efficiency, including precision farming techniques, advanced irrigation systems, remote sensing, and data analytics. These innovations enable farmers to optimize resource utilization, reduce waste, and improve crop yields. Environmental sustainability in agriculture is also highlighted, with a focus on technological solutions to minimize soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The paper explores eco-friendly practices such as organic farming, agroforestry, and biopesticides that can be implemented using technology to promote sustainability. Challenges to adopting technological innovations in developing countries are discussed, such as limited access to technology, lack of infrastructure, and financial constraints. The paper emphasizes the need for supportive policies, capacity building, and partnerships to facilitate technology transfer and widespread adoption. Overall, the paper advocates for harnessing the power of technological innovations to enhance resource efficiency and environmental sustainability in agriculture. It calls for tailored approaches, farmer empowerment, and knowledge sharing. Collaboration among governments, research institutions, private sectors, and civil society is essential to create an enabling environment for technology-driven sustainable agriculture. The findings underscore the potential of technological innovations to contribute to food security, poverty alleviation, and resilient livelihoods in developing countries. By embracing these innovations and addressing associated challenges, developing countries can unlock their agricultural potential and create a sustainable future.
    Keywords: technological innovations, sustainable agriculture, developing countries, resource efficiency, environmental sustainability.
    JEL: O13 Q01 Q16 Q55
    Date: 2023–07–15
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:118216&r=cse

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