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on Innovation |
| By: | Lal, Kaushalesh (UNU-MERIT); Dunnewijk, Theo (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University) |
| Abstract: | Innovation strategies of entrepreneurs are mapped with growth and performance of their firms in this study. Findings of the study are based on the data collected from 1238 small ICT firms located in 25 member states of European Union. The survey was conducted during October 2006 and March 2007. Results of Logit analysis suggest that firms that pursued continuous innovation strategies experienced more employment growth, higher profitability, and better sales dynamics than those that adopted occasional innovation approach. Market growth of continuous innovating firms realized faster pace than other type of firms. Another distinguishing characteristic of two types of firms emerged is market preference. Target market of continuous innovating firms has been European or global markets while innovative activities of other firms targeted domestic market. The study concludes that European innovation policies should be focused towards continuous innovation activities with due attention at human resource development policies. |
| Keywords: | dynamic capabilities, continuous innovation, occasional innovation, competitiveness, human resources, internationalization |
| JEL: | O31 O32 O38 L25 L63 O15 J24 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2008016&r=ino |
| By: | Rosa, Julio M. (Statistics Canada); Mohnen, Pierre (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University) |
| Abstract: | This study examines whether the transfer of knowledge flows from universities to enterprises in Canada is hampered by the geographical distance that separates them. The transfer of knowledge flows are measured by the amount of R&D payments from business enterprises to universities that are directly reported in Statistics Canada's survey on Research and Development in Canadian Industry. We use data from the 1997 to 2001 surveys. After controlling for unobserved individual heterogeneity, selection bias as well as for other covariates that could affect the extent of industry-university R&D transactions such as absorptive capacity, foreign control, belonging to the same province, past experience with a given university and other firm and university characteristics, it is found that a 10% increase in distance decreases the proportion of total R&D paid to a university by 1.4 percent for enterprises that do not report any codified transfer of knowledge flow, and by half as much for enterprises that report codified knowledge flows. |
| Keywords: | knowledge transfer, university-industry relationships, codified knowledge, tacit knowledge, spatial proximity |
| JEL: | O31 O33 D83 D85 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2008017&r=ino |
| By: | Tom Broekel |
| Abstract: | Although a rich literature has emerged analyzing the impact of localization, urbanization, and Jacobs externalities on regional innovativeness, the findings are still contradictory. Traditional studies differ mainly in the employed data but rely on similar empirical approaches. This paper argues in favor of using in this context production frontier approaches instead of the commonly employed production function approaches. In addition, a nonparametric frontier approach is used to empirically examine the influence of the externalities on regions’ innovativeness. For four different industries positive effect of localization and urbanization externalities are found. In contrast, with the exception of the transport equipment industry, Jacobs externalities seem to be of minor importance. |
| Keywords: | regional innovation performance, nonparametric frontier analysis, German electrics, electronics industry |
| JEL: | R12 O18 O31 |
| Date: | 2008–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:egu:wpaper:0804&r=ino |
| By: | M. KNOCKAERT; B. CLARYSSE |
| Abstract: | Over the last decades, venture capital investment management has considerably become interested in high-tech investing. Despite this higher interest, no clear analysis exists of who these high-tech VCs are, and how they differ from traditional VCs. Studying selection behaviour of VCs using a conjoint methodology, we identified 28 high-tech investors in a unique sample of 68 European early stage investors. These VCs emphasize high-tech related criteria during the selection process. A further analysis of this group of high-tech investors compared to traditional investors showed that high-tech VCs are to a larger extent publicly funded than traditional VCs. Besides, they tend to be more prominent in biotech investing. We found no indication that specific or general human capital with respect to high-tech investing affects selection behaviour. This research has important implications for public policy, aiming at resolving the market failure for high-tech investments, high-tech entrepreneurs looking for VC funding, and VC funds. |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rug:rugwps:08/503&r=ino |
| By: | Wendy Dobson (Institute for International Business, Rotman School of Management); A.E. Safarian (Rotman School of Management) |
| Abstract: | How is the Chinese economy making the transition from imitation to innovation as the source of sustained long term growth? We address this question using the evolutionary approach to growth in which institutions support technical advance and enterprises develop capabilities to learn and innovate. Growth is seen as a series of disequilibria in which obstacles to innovation such as outdated institutions and weak incentive systems can cause growth to slow. We review existing literatures on institutions and firm behavior in China and compare these findings with those of our survey of Chinese firms in 2006. Industry and firm studies in the literature show how productivity is rising because of firm entry and exit rather than the adoption of new technologies. A striking feature both of the studies in the literature and our survey is the increasing competitive pressures on firms that encourage learning. Our survey of privately owned small and medium enterprises in five high tech industries in Zhejiang province found a market-based innovation system and evidence of much process and some product innovations. These enterprises respond to growing product competition and demanding customers with intensive internal learning, investment in R&D and a variety of international and research linkages. |
| JEL: | O23 H20 |
| Date: | 2008–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ttp:iibwps:08&r=ino |
| By: | Anh Ngoc Nguyen (Development and Policies Research Center (DEPOCEN), 216 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam); Ngoc Quang Pham (Development and Policies Research Center (DEPOCEN), 216 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam); Chuc Dinh Nguyen (Aston Business School, Aston University, UK); Nhat Duc Nguyen (Development and Policies Research Center (DEPOCEN), 216 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam) |
| Abstract: | Innovation has long been considered an important factor for creating and maintaining the competitiveness of nations and firms. Common knowledge stands that innovation is the cause of the increase of exports. However, contradicting empirical evidences are reported in the literature on the causality between innovation and export. In this paper we examine whether innovation performed by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) enhances their exporting likelihood in the context of a developing country of Vietnam. Using an uniquely rich Vietnamese SMEs database, we find that innovation as measured directly by 'new products', 'new production process' and 'improvement of existing products' are important determinants of exports by Vietnamese SMEs. We add to the current literature by examining modification of existing products as an innovation activity. We also find evidence of endogeneity of innovation that may lead to biased estimate of innovation in previous studies, which failed to take this problem into account. |
| Keywords: | Innovation, Export, Vietnam, SME, Instrumental Variable, Bivariate |
| JEL: | F02 L2 O3 |
| Date: | 2008–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dpc:wpaper:0908&r=ino |