nep-knm New Economics Papers
on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Economy
Issue of 2014‒10‒22
seven papers chosen by
Laura Ştefănescu
Centrul European de Studii Manageriale în Administrarea Afacerilor

  1. Territorial Innovation Dynamics: a Knowledge Based Perspective By Rani Jeanne Dang; Karine Roux; Christian Longhi; Damien Talbot; Catherine Thomas
  2. Universities, Funding Systems, and the Renewal of the Industrial Knowledge Base: UNI Project Findings By Luukkonen, Terttu
  3. Back to Basics: Basic Research Spillovers, Innovation Policy and Growth By Douglas Hanley; Ufuk Akcigit; Nicolas Serrano-Velarde
  4. Science and innovation By Joelle Forest
  5. E-Skills, Brains and Performance of the Firms: ICT and Ability of Firms to Conduct Successful Projects in Luxembourg By Anissa Chaibi; Adel Ben Youssef; Leila Peltier- Ben Aoun
  6. Strategic collective system building by firms who launch sustainability innovations By Planko; Jacqueline Cramer; Maryse Chappin; Marko Hekkert
  7. Le réalisme d'une nouvelle technologie de réalité virtuelle : un antécédent à l'efficacité des outils d'aide à la vente en ligne. By Margot Racat; Sonia Capelli

  1. By: Rani Jeanne Dang (GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - CNRS : UMR7321 - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS)); Karine Roux (CEREFIGE - Centre Européen de Recherche en Economie Financière et Gestion des Entreprises - Université Nancy II : EA3942 - Université de Metz); Christian Longhi (GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - CNRS : UMR7321 - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS)); Damien Talbot (GREThA - Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée - CNRS : UMR5113 - Université Montesquieu - Bordeaux IV); Catherine Thomas (GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - CNRS : UMR7321 - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS))
    Abstract: Many studies have focused on the role played by geographical location in the emergence and building of localised learning capacities (Maskell and Malmberg, 1999). In this perspective, empirical studies have demonstrated that the innovation dynamics of clusters result from the quality of interactions and coordination inside the cluster as well as interactions with external, often global, networks. In this context, knowledge exchange between firms and institutions are claimed to be the main drivers of spatial agglomeration (Canals et al., 2008). Hence, cluster policies have followed the main idea that geographic proximity facilitates collective innovation in that firms can capture knowledge externalities more easily. This idea is in fact very attractive but contains some limitations (Suire and Vicente, 2007): if some clusters are successful, others seem to decline. Therefore, in order to understand the territorial dynamics of clusters, the analysis of the specific nature of knowledge and information flows within a cluster is crucial. The objective of this paper is to enhance the analysis of the role of cognitive and relational dimensions of interactions in territorial dynamics of innovation. We focus on the key sub-process of innovation: knowledge creation, which is above all a social process based on two key complex social mechanisms: the exchange and the combination of knowledge (Nahapiet and Goshal, 1996). We suggest building a theoretical framework that hinges on these two key mechanisms. In this line, we apply Boisot's I-Space model (Boisot, 1998) for the diffusion and exchange of knowledge and suggest completing the model by introducing the concept of architectural knowledge (Henderson and Clark, 1990) so as to take into consideration the complexity of the combination process. This analysis is conducted through the illustrative analysis of three different case studies. We will draw upon the case of Aerospace Valley Pole of Competitiveness (PoC), the Secured Communicating Solutions PoC, and the Fabelor Competence Cluster. The cases show that the existence of architectural knowledge is pivotal to territorial innovation.
    Keywords: architectural knowledge, I-Space model, territorial innovation, geographical clusters
    Date: 2014–01–14
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00929802&r=knm
  2. By: Luukkonen, Terttu
    Abstract: An important prerequisite for the renewal of Finland’s industrial and economic base is the ability of the universities to promote the renewal of the knowledge base. The UNI project studied ways in which changes in external funding mechanisms and recent governance changes in Finnish universities have changed the framework conditions influencing innovativeness and innovation in university research. Innovation here refers to novel approaches and potentially, breakthrough research, requiring risk-taking. The UK provided a comparative perspective for the study. This report reprints four separate policy briefs and reports that the UNI project has produced and provides an overall concluding chapter for them. A major conclusion of the study is that, so far, there has not been much impact from the recent policy changes on intellectual innovation in research in Finland. University governance influences research content very indirectly and is mediated by multiple other factors, meaning that policy changes are not, at least in the short run, translated into changed research content. As far as research funding organisations are concerned, Finland has not had a funding organisation that encourages risk-taking and intellectual innovation in research. Recent policy changes have not fundamentally altered this situation. In the UK, the established practice of performance measurement of universities seems to narrow notions of appropriate research content and standards of performance and is becoming an ominous factor in reducing variety and risk-taking in university research. This phenomenon is further developed in the UK, but Finland seems now to be ‘catching up’. In industry-university collaboration short-term commissions and most of Tekes’ industrial collaboration support draw on existing knowledge and know-how and are not intended to promote highly innovative and high-risk activities. More flexible and longer-term contracts can in principle promote such research activities provided that the knowledge they produce will be in the public arena since scientific breakthroughs, to bear fruit, require a great deal of further development and wide adoption of the novel concepts, methods etc. by the scientific community.
    Keywords: university research, research funding, intellectual innovation in research, university governance
    JEL: O38 O39
    Date: 2014–09–25
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rif:report:33&r=knm
  3. By: Douglas Hanley; Ufuk Akcigit; Nicolas Serrano-Velarde
    Abstract: This paper introduces a model of endogenous growth through basic and applied research. Basic research differs from applied research in the nature and the magnitude of the generated spillovers. We propose a novel way of empirically identifying these spillovers and embed them in a general equilibrium framework with private firms and a public research sector. After characterizing the equilibrium, we estimate our model using micro-level data on research expenditures by French firms. Our key finding is that standard R&D policies can accentuate the dynamic misallocation in the economy. We also find a strong complementarity between the property rights of basic research and the optimal funding of public research.
    Keywords: Innovation, basic research, applied research, research and development, govern- ment spending, endogenous growth, spillover
    JEL: O31 O38 O40 L78
    Date: 2014–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pit:wpaper:535&r=knm
  4. By: Joelle Forest (EVS - Environnement Ville Société - CNRS : UMR5600 - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III - Université Lumière - Lyon II - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Etienne - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État [ENTPE] - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées [INSA] : - LYON - École Normale Supérieure (ENS) - Lyon - École Nationale Supérieure des Mines - Saint-Étienne)
    Abstract: We live in a society in which technical objects are omnipresent; where technology transforms our world and conceives its future shape. However, we are faced with a paradox which becomes more and more pressing. Technique influences us and we remain largely unaware of it. If R&D seems to be an enabler of innovation, it is not sufficient by itself. Thus, the objective of this special issue is to question the relations between science and technology. What are the risks in continuing to use the linear model of innovation as the basis for policies to promote innovation? Is it not possible to go against the established paradigm of the application of sciences?
    Keywords: Innovation, science, linear model of innovation, tehnology,
    Date: 2014–09–15
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01064725&r=knm
  5. By: Anissa Chaibi; Adel Ben Youssef; Leila Peltier- Ben Aoun
    Abstract: This paper provides original empirical evidence on the causal links between e-skills, usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and firm’s performance using a sample of Luxembourgian manufacturing and services firms. Firm performance is measured in terms of innovation (success of new projects settled). Our main findings are: (i) there’s no relationship between the absorptive technology capacity of the firm (measured by ICT staff and Training) and the probability of the implementation of successful ICT projects, (ii) there is a positive effect of e-applications usage (ICT usage) on the probability of the implementation of successful new projects, and (iii) there is an asymmetric effect of usage of e-commerce and eadministration confirming findings of the recent literature.
    Keywords: Innovation; Usage of ICT; Depth of ICT adoption; Ordered models; Innovative projects.
    JEL: L21 O31 O33
    Date: 2014–09–25
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipg:wpaper:2014-587&r=knm
  6. By: Planko; Jacqueline Cramer; Maryse Chappin; Marko Hekkert
    Abstract: The implementation of innovative sustainability technologies often requires far reaching changes of the macro environment in which the innovating firms operate. Strategic management literature describes that firms who want to commercialize an innovative technology can collaborate in networks or industry clusters to build up a favourable environment for their technology. This increases the chances of successful diffusion and adoption of the technology in society. However, the strategic management literature does not offer advice on how to strategically build up this supportive external environment. We fill this gap with complementary insights from the technological innovation systems literature. We introduce the concept of strategic collective system building. Collective system building describes processes and activities networks of actors can strategically engage in to collectively build up a favourable environment for their innovative sustainability technology. Furthermore, we develop a strategy framework for collective system building. To underpin the theoretical analysis empirically, we conducted a case study in the Dutch smart grids field. The resulting strategy framework consists of four key areas for strategy making: technology development and optimization, market creation, socio-cultural changes and coordination. Each of these key strategic areas is composed of a set of system building activities.
    Keywords: System building; technological innovation systems; strategic collaboration; collective strategy; sustainability innovation
    Date: 2014–09
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uis:wpaper:1403&r=knm
  7. By: Margot Racat (Centre de Recherche Magellan - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Lyon - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III : EA3713); Sonia Capelli (Centre de Recherche Magellan - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Lyon - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III : EA3713)
    Abstract: Cette recherche vise à déterminer les leviers d'adoption d'une nouvelle technologie de réalité augmentée dans le cadre d'un essai de produit. A l'aide d'une expérimentation dans le domaine des cosmétiques, nous comparons l'impact d'un test produit classique avec un test réalisé via un miroir de maquillage virtuel. Nous montrons que le test virtuel impacte positivement la satisfaction de l'individu et son intention d'achat, plus que le test de produit classique, et ce bien que l'échantillon de produit traditionnel soit perçu comme plus réaliste. Les résultats permettent en outre d'appréhender l'intérêt managérial pour les entreprises à intégrer des outils virtuels d'échantillonnage.
    Keywords: Echantillonnage ; outils virtuel ; réalisme ; innovation
    Date: 2014–09–18
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01067711&r=knm

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