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on Innovation |
| By: | Harhoff, Dietmar; von Graevenitz, Georg; Wagner, Stefan |
| Abstract: | We investigate incidence and evolution of patent thickets. A theoretical model of patenting encompassing complex and discrete technologies is introduced. It is shown that decreased technological opportunities increase patenting incentives in complex technologies. This effect gets stronger as complexity grows. In contrast, lower technological opportunities reduce patenting incentives in discrete technologies. We also analyze under which conditions greater complexity increases patenting incentives in complex technologies. A new measure of technological complexity is proposed that captures the density of patent thickets. Additionally, measures of fragmentation and technological opportunities are constructed exploiting European patent citations. We employ a panel capturing patenting behaviour of 2074 firms in 30 technology areas over 15 years. GMM estimation results show that patenting conforms to our theoretical model. The results indicate that patent thickets exist in 9 of the 30 technology areas. Decreasing technological opportunities are a surprisingly strong driver of patent thicket growth. |
| Keywords: | complexity; patent portfolios; patent thickets; patenting; technological opportunities |
| JEL: | L13 L20 O34 |
| Date: | 2008–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6900&r=ino |
| By: | Yu, J. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculteit der Economische Wetenschappen en Econometrie (Free University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics Sciences, Business Administration and Economitrics); Nijkamp, P. |
| Abstract: | The recently announced Independent Innovation Strategy (IIS) signifies the climax of China’s technology catch-up effort during the past 30 years. This paper investigates the efficacy of, and prospects for this effort by reviewing comments from the relevant literature, by conducting a theoretical analysis based on industrial economics and by testing hypotheses with the latest empirical evidence. Our results suggest a bleak prospect for IIS if the Chinese government retains its excessive administrative protection of state-owned enterprises, and a long struggle ahead for China to finally push further into the technology frontier. |
| Keywords: | state monopoly; R&D; independent innovation; state-owned enterprise |
| JEL: | L12 O38 P31 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:vuarem:2008-9&r=ino |
| By: | Anna Lejpras; Andreas Stephan |
| Abstract: | This paper has two goals. First, it analyzes the extent to which the innovativeness of spin-offs, either born from a research facility or from another company, is influenced by locational conditions. Second, it provides evidence on how important local cooperation links are in comparison to nonlocal ones. Using a sample of approximately 1,500 East German firms from knowledge-intensive sectors, we estimate a structural equation model applying the partial least squares method. We find that proximity to local research institutes and universities is the most influential factor for the cooperation intensity of spin-offs. Furthermore, the higher the cooperation intensity, the greater the innovativeness of a firm. Moreover, the results indicate that it is not the local but the nonlocal cooperation ties that are more conducive to innovativeness of research spin-offs. The findings also highlight that the innovativeness of research spin-offs with solely local links is strongly depends on support from various authorities and institutions. |
| Keywords: | Research and Company Spin-Offs, Locational Conditions, Cooperation Intensity, Innovativeness, Structural Equation Modeling, Partial Least Squares Approach |
| JEL: | M13 O18 R3 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp804&r=ino |
| By: | Michele Boldrin; David K Levine |
| Date: | 2008–07–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cla:levarc:122247000000002262&r=ino |
| By: | Michele Boldrin; David K Levine |
| Date: | 2008–07–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cla:levarc:122247000000002269&r=ino |
| By: | Sophie Chemarin; Caroline Orset |
| Abstract: | We propose to analyse the hyperbolic discounting preferences effect on the innovator's research investment decision. Investing in research allows him to acquire information, and then to reduce the uncertainty of the risks of his project. We find that whatever the innovator's preferences, that is hyperbolic or time-consistent, there exists a research investment constraint that limits the information acquisition. However, even if the information is free, while a time-consistent agent always acquires information, a hyperbolic agent may prefer staying ignorant. We also emphasize that hyperbolic discounting preferences induce and information precision constraint that leads the hyperbolic innovator to ignore the information whilethe time-consistent innovator gets it. Moreover, the possibility that the agent has a commitment power in the future strengthens this ignorance strategy. Finally, we investigate the impact of existing liability rules on the innovator's decision to acquire information. |
| Keywords: | Innovation, information acquisition, uncertainty, self-control, time inconsistency, liability rules |
| JEL: | D81 D83 D92 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lvl:lacicr:0810&r=ino |
| By: | Schulz, Celine; Wagner, Stefan |
| Abstract: | Recent studies of outlaw communities provide qualitative evidence of their existence and the organisation of the underlying innovation processes. We provide descriptive results from a large scale survey of two online outlaw communities focussing on Microsoft's XBox. In line with previous findings, we identify two types of participants in outlaw communities - user innovators and adopters. Based on 2,256 responses, we find that users modify their XBox mainly to be able to increase the set of available functions of their XBox. Users are also motivated to modify their XBox for the sake of having fun and to conduct pirate behaviour. Finally, the results from our survey suggest that user innovators are largely intrinsically motivated by fun and the intellectual stimulation of writing code for homebrew software. |
| Keywords: | Outlaw community innovation; video game consoles; homebrew software |
| JEL: | M10 M20 |
| Date: | 2008–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lmu:msmdpa:4678&r=ino |