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on Innovation |
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Issue of 2008‒02‒16
twelve papers chosen by Steffen Lippert Massey University Department of Commerce |
| By: | Marco Corsino |
| Abstract: | A puzzling evidence stemming from the applied research on growth and innovation is that successful innovations do not appear to have a significant effect on sales growth rates, at odds with the expectation that successful innovators will prosper at the expenses of their less able competitors. The present paper tests a research hypothesis claiming that the level of observation at which applied research is typically conducted hampers the identification of a significant association between innovation and sales growth rates. Exploiting a unique and original database comprising detailed information on product innovations by leading semiconductor companies, we find components commercialized in the nearest past to positively affect the stream of corporate revenues. |
| Keywords: | Firm Growth; Product Innovation; Semiconductor industry |
| Date: | 2008–02–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2008/02&r=ino |
| By: | Thierry BURGER-HELMCHEN |
| Abstract: | Based on a longitudinal case study of a high tech start-up, this paper explores how different forms of entrepreneurship coexist and interplay to create a firm’s innovative dynamics. A particular focus is given to knowledge-based entrepreneurship linked to technological innovation and exploitation, service entrepreneurship, and organizational-marketing entrepreneurship. Findings suggest that firms can realize performance benefits when their members divide those entrepreneurial activities between themselves during the launching phase of the firm, and then adapt the configuration of the activities, and their behaviours into a managerial form during the expansion phase of the firm. Our work offers a dynamic view of the conditions a firm has to fulfil to survive in a knowledge-based environment and we analyse the process that produces a good integration of plural-entrepreneurship behaviours. |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2008-01&r=ino |
| By: | Robin Cowan; Natalia Zinovyev |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes empirically the channels through which university research affects industry innovation. We examine how the opening of new science, medicine and engineering departments in Italy during 1985-2000 affected regional innovation systems. We find that creation of a new univer- sity department increased regional innovation activity 3-4 years later. On average, an openning of a new department in a region has led to a ten per- cent change in the number of patents filed by regional firms. Given that this effect occurs within the first half decade of the appearance of a new depart- ment, it cannot be ascribed to improvements in the quality and quantity of graduates. At the same time, traditional measures of academic research activity can explain only around 30 percent of this effect. |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2008-02&r=ino |
| By: | Tomaso Duso; Enrico Pennings; Jo Seldeslachts |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to test the determinants of Research Joint Ventures’ (RJVs) group dynamics. We look at entry, exit and turbulence in RJVs that have been set up under the US National Cooperative Research Act, which allows for certain antitrust exemptions in order to stimulate firms to cooperate in R&D. Accounting for unobserved project characteristics and controlling for inter-RJV interactions and industry effects, the Tobit panel regressions show the importance of group and time features for an RJV’s evolution. We further identify an average RJV’s long-term equilibrium size and assess its determining factors. Ours is a first attempt to produce robust stylized facts about cooperational short- and long-term dynamics, an important but neglected dimension in research cooperations. <br> <br> <i>ZUSAMMENFASSUNG - Die Dynamik in Forschungskooperationen: Eine Paneldatenanalyse. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Analyse der entscheidenden Einflussfaktoren auf die Gruppendynamik in Forschungsgemeinschaften. Wir betrachten Einstieg, Ausstieg und Bewegungen innerhalb von Forschungsgemeinschaften, die unter dem US National Cooperative Research Act gegründet wurden. Der Cooperative Research Act befreit die teilnehmenden Unternehmen von kartell- und monopolrechtlichen Beschränkungen um Anreize für Kooperationen im Bereich Forschung und Entwicklung zu schaffen. Unter Berücksichtigung von unbeobachtbaren Projektcharakteristika und Überwachung von industriespezifischen Effekten und Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Forschungsgemeinschaften zeigt die Tobit-Regression die Wirkung von Gruppen- und Periodenmerkmalen auf die Entwicklung einer Forschungskooperation. Weiterhin wird die durchschnittliche langfristige Größe einer Forschungsgemeinschaft im Gleichgewicht beschrieben und ihre Bestimmungsfaktoren werden untersucht. Der Aufsatz stellt einen ersten Versuch dar, robuste stilisierte Fakten zu kurz- und langfristigen Triebkräften von Kooperationen zu extrahieren um einen Beitrag zu einem zu Unrecht vernachlässigten Teilbereich der Forschung zu leisten.</i> |
| Keywords: | Research Joint Ventures, Dynamics, Panel Data |
| JEL: | C23 L24 O32 |
| Date: | 2008–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wzb:wzebiv:spii2007-12&r=ino |
| By: | Natarajan Balasubramanian; Jagadeesh Sivadasan |
| Abstract: | In this study, we present novel statistics on the patenting in US manufacturing and new evidence on the question of what happens when firms patent. We do so by creating a comprehensive firm-patent matched dataset that links the NBER patent data (covering the universe of patents) to firm data from the US Census Bureau (which covers the universe of all firms with paid employees). Our linked dataset covers more than 48,000 unique assignees (compared to about 4,100 assignees covered by the Compustat-NBER link), representing almost two-thirds of all non-individual, non-university, non-government assignees from 1975 to 1997. We use the data to present some basic but novel statistics on the role of patenting in US manufacturing, including strong evidence confirming the highly skewed nature of patenting activity. Next, we examine what happens when firms patent by looking at a large sample of first time patentees. We find that while there are significant cross-sectional differences in size and total factor productivity between patentee firms and non-patentee firms, changes in patentownership status within firms is associated with a contemporaneous and substantial increase in firm size, but little to no change in total factor productivity. This evidence suggests that patenting is associated with firm growth through new product innovations (firm scope) rather than through reduction in the cost of producing existing products (firm productivity). Consistent with this explanation, we find that when firms patent, there is a contemporaneous increase in the number of products that the firms produce. Estimates of (within-firm) elasticity of firm characteristics to patent stock confirm our results. Our findings are robust to alternative measures of size and productivity, and to various sample selection criteria. |
| Keywords: | Innovation, productivity, new products, firm scope |
| JEL: | O30 O31 O34 O33 L25 |
| Date: | 2008–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cen:wpaper:08-03&r=ino |
| By: | Ruud Smits; Rutger van Merkerk; David H. Guston; Daniel Sarewitz |
| Abstract: | Starting from the perception of innovation as a multi actor, multi level strategic game, this paper addresses the role of strategic intelligence, more in particular of TA, in systemic innovation policies. First the history of TA in the US and Europe over the last 4 decades are described and its role in innovation policies discussed. Hereafter the role and (possible) impact of strategic intelligence and systemic innovation policies is analysed. Two recent cases of Constructive TA are used to illustrate how this role is operationalised. The paper is concluded with conclusions on how strategic intelligence may further reinforce systemic innovation policies. Special attention is paid to the role of strategic intelligence in empowering users and other non traditional actors in innovation processes. |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:0801&r=ino |
| By: | Frank J. van Rijnsoever; Carolina Castaldi |
| Abstract: | Innovation is a process that involves searching for new information. This paper builds upon theoretical insights on individual and organizational learning and proposes a knowledge based model of how actors search for information when confronted with innovation. The model takes into account different search channels, both local and non local, and relates their use to the knowledge base of actors. The paper also provides an empirical validation of our model based on a study on the search channels used by a sample of Dutch consumers when buying new consumer electronic products. |
| Keywords: | knowledge base, learning, information search, innovation, consumer behaviour |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:0802&r=ino |
| By: | Roald A.A. Suurs; Marko P. Hekkert |
| Abstract: | Despite its worldwide success, the innovation systems approach is often criticized for being theoretically underdeveloped. This article aims to contribute to the conceptual and methodical basis of the (technological) innovation systems approach. We propose an alteration that improves the analysis of dynamics, especially with respect to emerging innovation systems. We do this by expanding on the technological innovation systems and system functions literature, and by employing the method of 'event history analysis'. By mapping events, the interactions between system functions and their development over time can be analysed. Based on this it becomes possible to identify forms of positive feedback, i.e. cumulative causation. As an illustration of the approach, we assess the biofuels innovation system in The Netherlands as it evolved from 1990 to 2005. |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:0804&r=ino |
| By: | Quirine van Voorst tot Voorst; Ruud Smits; John van den Elst |
| Abstract: | Standardisation processes and policies demand increased attention due to their contribution to enterprise competitiveness and relation to trade barriers. However, standardisation differs considerably per region. In order to investigate these differences in more detail, the standardisation processes for digital terrestrial television in China and the European Union are compared in terms of actors involved, their roles and relations, and the institutions governing standardisation processes. The structure and underlying dynamics of these regional innovation systems are analysed and compared. The analysis is based on a set of functions describing the underlying dynamics of both systems. For every step in the standardisation process, the influence of innovation functions, actors and institutions is listed and evaluated in detail. Based on the results major differences between standardisation processes in China and the European Union are identified. It further will be pointed out that these differences can be related to major differences in the institutional set up and dynamics of the related innovation systems. |
| Keywords: | standardisation, regional innovation systems |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:0805&r=ino |
| By: | Rens L.J. Vandeberg; Ellen H.M. Moors |
| Abstract: | Innovation is an interactive learning process which is of special interest for emerging technologies in which complex complementary knowledge from heterogeneous stakeholders is combined. In the emerging phase of technology development a lot of knowledge is tacit and can only be transferred face-to-face. At the same time a shared vision between stakeholders is being formed that acts as a driver for innovation. Although the importance of interactive learning is widely acknowledged, an adequate framework for studying interactive learning processes in emerging technologies is still missing. Therefore we formulated the leading research question: How to understand and conceptualize interactive learning in the context of emerging technologies? We did not only take the outcome of interactive learning into account, but also focused on opening the black box of the interactive learning process. We developed a framework based on characteristic elements of the interactive learning process in emerging technologies (i.e. prime mover, intermediaries, network formation and knowledge flows), influencing conditions (geographical, cognitive, regulatory, cultural and organisational proximity), and the outcome of the interactive learning process (single-loop and double-loop, tacit and codified knowledge). Clarifying examples are taken from the empirical field of the development of novel food products (functional foods). |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:0806&r=ino |
| By: | Carolina Castaldi; Bart Los |
| Abstract: | International differences in economic performance are often attributed to differences in innovative performance. Much empirical work supports this contention, but problems in quantifying innovative output prevent researchers from drawing a clear picture. Innovations are very heterogeneous regarding their importance, with only very few innovations yielding substantial returns. Citation frequencies are one measure of the value of innovations. We use a recently introduced technique based on results from Extreme Value Theory to estimate the characteristics of the tail of the distribution of citations. We identify important innovations as those that receive a number of citations higher than the ‘cutoff point’ of the tail of the distributions of citations. The data come from the NBER Patent-Citations Database. We provide estimates of the proportions of important patents for 31 technological categories and discuss emerging patterns. Possible implications for technology policy and innovation management are also drawn. |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:0807&r=ino |
| By: | Simona O. Negro; Marko P. Hekkert |
| Abstract: | We examine the view that the success of emerging technologies may be understood using a technological innovation systems analysis, drawing on a systems functions approach. This is done in the context of a case study of the successful diffusion of biomass digestion technology in Germany. We show that that all system functions that are claimed to be important within the innovation systems approach are present in the German Biomass Innovation System; and that these system functions positively interact leading to virtuous cycles and a rapid growth of the German Biomass Digestion Innovation System. |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:0808&r=ino |