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on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Economy |
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Issue of 2009‒07‒03
six papers chosen by Laura Stefanescu European Research Centre of Managerial Studies in Business Administration |
| By: | Moritz Müller; Robin COWAN; Geert Duysters; Nicolas JONARD |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates how technological distance between firms affects their network of R&D alliances. Our theoretic model assumes that the benefit of an alliance between two firms is given by their technological distance. This benefit-distance relationship determines the ego-network of each firm as well as the overall network structure. Empirical relevance is confirmed for the bio-pharmaceutical industry. Although we find that the network structure is largely explained by firm size, technological distance determines the positioning of firms in the network. |
| Keywords: | technological distance, research alliance, network formation, pharmaceutical industry. |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2009-24&r=knm |
| By: | Deprez, Frank Lekanne; Tissen, René (Nyenrode Business Universiteit) |
| Abstract: | This paper addresses the spatial design of modern organizations in the context of a fundamental change which is currently taking place in the way companies view their organizations and the inherent performance expectations, requirements and results underlying these. This change involves a managerial shift in perspective from the commonly adopted resource-based view of the firm, towards the knowledge based view of the firm. This paper follows the notion that company performance from a knowledge-based perspective benefits more from new ways of organizing, than from new ways of managing. A different type of organizations is introduced - that of the spatial organization - in which traditional one size fits all organizational ‘structures’ are replaced by ‘spatial arrangements’ which aim to connect people, knowledge and technology in a mentally fitting –natural- way. A number of core spatial organizational forms are presented and discussed (modular, circular, cellular, constellar). This paper encompasses part two of a series of Nyenrode research papers on spatial organizations, of which part one describes the theoretical foundations underlying their emergence. |
| Keywords: | Knowledge Economy, Knowledge Based View of the Firm, Spatial Arrangements, Organizational Design, Spatial Organizations |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:nijrep:2009-07&r=knm |
| By: | Joel BAUM; Robin COWAN; Nicolas JONARD |
| Abstract: | Empirical research on strategic alliances has focused on the idea that alliance partners are selected on the basis of social capital considerations. In this paper we emphasize instead the role of complementary knowledge stocks (broadly defined) in partner selection, arguing not only that knowledge complementarity should not be overlooked, but that it may be the true causal force behind alliance formation. To marshal evidence on this point, we design a simple model of partner selection in which firms ally for the purpose of learning and innovating, and in doing so create an industry network. We abstract completely from network-based structural and strategic motives for partner selection and focus instead on the idea that firms’ knowledge bases must “fit” in order for joint leaning and innovation to be possible, and thus for an alliance to be feasible. The striking result is that while containing no social capital considerations, this simple model replicates the firm conduct, network structure, and contingent effects of network position on performance observed and discussed in the empirical literature. |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2009-23&r=knm |
| By: | Lommelen, Tinne (UNU-MERIT, University Hasselt); Hertog, Friso den (UNU-MERIT); Beck, Lien (University Hasselt); Sluismans, Raf (UNU-MERIT) |
| Abstract: | This paper reflects upon the way that we balanced design and development in three specific case projects in order to contribute to creating and accumulating knowledge that is both relevant to practitioners and academics. More specifically, it is shown how learning within one project was used to improve the design of the next project. The three projects were set up in the context of government-sponsored social science programs and aimed at improving innovation in SMEs. As the paper shows, looking at these three projects shows the contribution from seeing design and development as two sides of the same coin. |
| Keywords: | design-oriented research, organizational development, large-scale projects |
| JEL: | D23 D83 M10 O22 O33 |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2009027&r=knm |
| By: | Chi, Wei; Qian, Xiaoye |
| Abstract: | This study examines one of the channels through which education may contribute to economic growth, specifically, innovation. Endogenous growth theory has long suggested that human capital lead to greater innovation and, through technology innovation and diffusion, contribute to economic growth. However, there is little evidence on the role of human capital in innovation. Using the Chinese provincial data from 1997 to 2006, we show that workers’ tertiary education is significantly and positively related to provincial innovative activities measured by invention patent applications per capita. This result does not vary when spatial dependence is allowed in the estimation. Thus, we find strong and robust evidence for the prediction of endogenous growth theory regarding the effect of human capital on innovation. However, we do not find the consistently significant effect of innovation on growth. This finding may, however, relate to the growth pattern in China. |
| Keywords: | Education; Human Capital; Innovation; Paten; Economic Growth; Spatial Analysis |
| JEL: | O1 O3 |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:15779&r=knm |
| By: | Alexander Popov (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, D-60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.); Peter Roosenboom (Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, Netherlands.) |
| Abstract: | We provide the first cross-country evidence of the effect of investment by private equity firms on innovation, focusing on a sample of European countries and using Kortum and Lerner’s (2000) empirical methodology. Using an 18-country panel covering the period 1991-2004, we study how private equity finance affects patent applications and patent grants. We address concerns about causality in several ways, including exploiting variation in laws regulating the investment behaviour of pension funds and insurance companies across countries and over time. We also control for the standard determinants of innovation like R&D, human capital, and patent protection. Our estimates imply that while private equity investment accounts for 8% of aggregate (private equity plus R&D) industrial spending, PE accounts for as much as 12% of industrial innovation. We also present similar evidence from the biotech industry to alleviate concerns that our results are biased by aggregation. JEL Classification: C23, G15, O16. |
| Keywords: | private equity, venture capital, innovation. |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:200901063&r=knm |