nep-knm New Economics Papers
on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Economy
Issue of 2015‒02‒22
ten papers chosen by
Laura Ştefănescu
Centrul European de Studii Manageriale în Administrarea Afacerilor

  1. Knowledge base combinations and innovation performance in Swedish regions By Grillitsch, Markus; Martin, Roman; Srholec, Martin
  2. Proximity, knowledge base and the innovation process The case of Unilever’s Becel diet margarine By Davids, Mila; Frenken, Koen
  3. The dark side of R&D collaborations By Enrico Guzzini; Donato Iacobucci
  4. The role of universities in the location of innovative start-upsa By Giorgio Calacagnini; Ilario Favaretto; Germana Giombini; Francesco Perugini; Rosalba Rombaldoni
  5. Human capital, basic research, and applied research: three dimensions of human knowledge and their differential growth effects By Werner, Katharina; Prettner, Klaus
  6. The curse of knowledge increases self-selection into competition: Experimental evidence By Danz, David
  7. On the Failure of R&D Projects By Link, Albert; Wright, Mike
  8. Innovative Strategies in Higher Education for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia By Asian Development Bank (ADB); ; ;
  9. How much does ICT contribute to innovation output? An analysis of the ICT component in the innovation output indicator By Annarosa Pesole
  10. Collaborative Research and Rate of Interests By Chatterjee, Rittwik; Chattopadhyay, Srobonti

  1. By: Grillitsch, Markus (CIRCLE, Lund University); Martin, Roman (CIRCLE, Lund University); Srholec, Martin (CIRCLE, Lund University & CERGE-EI, Charles University and Economics Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic)
    Abstract: The literature on geography of innovation suggests that innovation outcomes depend on the type of knowledge base employed by firms. While knowledge bases are distinct categories with regards to the nature and the rational of knowledge creation, existing studies also stress that innovation usually involves more than one knowledge base. In fact, new ideas often occur when analytical, synthetic and symbolic knowledge intertwines. It remains unclear, though, which combinations of knowledge bases are most conducive to innovation at the level of the firm, and how this is influenced by the knowledge bases available in the regional milieu. Therefore the contribution of this paper is threefold: i) to measure knowledge bases of firms and their regional heterogeneity in a more comprehensive way than the existing empirical literature has been able to do so far, ii) to quantitatively assess the impact of combinations of knowledge bases on innovation output, iii) to analyze the interplay between firm- and region-level knowledge bases (and combinations thereof) in generating innovations. Empirically, the paper applies econometric analysis on firm- and region-level data from Sweden. The knowledge base of firms is captured using detailed occupational data derived from linked employer-employee datasets that is merged at the firm-level with information from Community Innovation Surveys. The empirical analysis reveals in a quantitative way the extent to which the knowledge base combinations affect innovativeness of firms.
    Keywords: Knowledge bases; knowledge combination; regions; innovation performance; microdata; cross-level interaction; Sweden
    JEL: O30 O31 R10
    Date: 2015–02–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:lucirc:2015_006&r=knm
  2. By: Davids, Mila (School of Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology); Frenken, Koen (Innovation Studies, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University & CIRCLE, Lund University)
    Abstract: The proximity concept refers to types of inter-organizational relationships that are expected to facilitate interactive learning and collaborative innovation. Different forms of proximity include geographical, cognitive, social, institutional and organizational proximity. Following an extensive case study of a new diet margarine developed by Unilever, we extent the proximity framework by theorizing how the relative importance of each proximity dimension depends on the type of knowledge being produced, where we distinguish between analytical, synthetic and symbolic knowledge. We argue that our theoretical framework in principle applies to product innovations in all science-based industries.
    Keywords: innovation; proximity; knowledge; science-based industries; multinational enterprise; management
    JEL: F23 L66 N30 O31 O32
    Date: 2015–02–15
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:lucirc:2015_007&r=knm
  3. By: Enrico Guzzini (Università degli Studi eCampus); Donato Iacobucci (Università Politecnica delle Marche)
    Abstract: Collaboration with firms and public research institutions (PRI) is expected to raise the innovative performance of firms. Collaboration is also likely to increase the cost of innovation because of leakages of strategic information, appropriability and coordination problems. When collaborating with PRI the latter problem is expected to be stronger thus raising the probability of project failure. The aim of this paper is to investigate if and to what extent collaboration in R&D projects raises the probability of failure: i.e. abandoning or delaying innovative projects. It also aims at verifying if and to what extent the collaboration with PRI increases the likelihood of failure. We use data from the fourth Italian Community Innovation Survey (CIS 4) which collected data for the three-year period 2002-2004. The empirical results support the hypothesis that collaboration significantly impacts the probability of abandoning or delaying innovative projects, thus raising the cost of innovation. Collaboration with PRI does not raise the likelihood of failure more than what observed for the collaboration with other partners. Moreover, delaying is influenced by cost factors (such as the lack of financial resources) and knowledge factors (such as the lack of qualified personnel); abandonment is significantly associated with market factors (such as uncertain demand).
    Keywords: R&D collaboration; project failure; public research institutions
    JEL: O32 L14
    Date: 2014–12
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cme:wpaper:1405&r=knm
  4. By: Giorgio Calacagnini (Department of Economics, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo"); Ilario Favaretto (Department of Economics, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo"); Germana Giombini (Department of Economics, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo"); Francesco Perugini (Department of Economics, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo"); Rosalba Rombaldoni (Department of Economics, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo")
    Abstract: Start-ups increasingly find the prospect of university-industry collaborations to be a powerful driver of innovation and entrepreneurship activity. Moreover, at the geographical level, they are attracted by teaching and research institutions, either public or private. This paper focuses on the role played by universities. Our hypothesis is that geographical proximity favors the transfer of knowledge and technology from universities to industries and, consequently, represents a positive factor for regional economic development. Results show that university spillovers are positively correlated with the creation of innovative start-ups. Furthermore, the presence of human capital (graduates) exerts a significant influence on the location decisions of start-ups, being a source for competitiveness for firms close to universities. Research quality, especially in the social sciences area, attracts innovative start-ups, while third-mission activities have a weak impact on locational choice.
    Keywords: CKnowledge transfer, Innovative start-up, University spillovers
    JEL: M13 L20 R30
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:urb:wpaper:14_09&r=knm
  5. By: Werner, Katharina; Prettner, Klaus
    Abstract: We analyze the di fferential growth e ffects of basic research, applied research, and embodied human capital accumulation in an R&D-based growth model with endogenous fertility and endogenous education. In line with the empirical evidence, our model allows for i) a negative association between long-run economic growth and population growth, ii) a positive association between long-run economic growth and education, and iii) a positive association between the level of per capita GDP and expenditures for basic research. Our results also indicate that raising public investments in basic research reduces the growth rate of GDP in the short run because resources have to be drawn away from other productive sectors of the economy. These short-run costs of basic research might be an explanation for the reluctance of governments to increase public R&D expenditures notwithstanding the long-run benefi ts of such a policy.
    JEL: O41 H41 J11
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100448&r=knm
  6. By: Danz, David
    Abstract: The psychology literature provides ample evidence that people have difficulties taking the perspective of less informed others. This paper presents a controlled experiment showing that this "curse of knowledge" can cause comparative overconfidence and overentry into competition. In a broader context, the results provide an explanation for the overconfidence of nascent entrepreneurs and the substantial rate of failure among new businesses.
    Keywords: curse of knowledge,hindsight bias,information projection,overconfidence,sorting,incentive schemes,competition,beliefs,experiments
    JEL: C91 D80 D82 D83 D84
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100543&r=knm
  7. By: Link, Albert (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics); Wright, Mike (Imperial College and University of Ghent)
    Abstract: There is an extensive literature on the success/failure of firm-funded R&D projects but growing policy interest focuses on publicly-funded R&D projects. Using data from 1,878 Phase II R&D projects funded through the U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, of which 624 had been discontinued prior to technical completion, we provide for the first time findings on the success/failure of publicly-funded firm-performed R&D projects. We find that prior R&D experience with the technology being funded by SBIR projects, the amount of the SBIR award, and having a female PI, other factors held constant, is negatively related to the probability of project failure. In contrast, firm size is positively associated with project failure. We discuss the implications of these findings for practice, policy, and further research.
    Keywords: R&D; project failure; innovation; SBIR; public sector
    JEL: L26 O31 O32 O33
    Date: 2015–02–16
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:uncgec:2015_003&r=knm
  8. By: Asian Development Bank (ADB); (South Asia Department, ADB); ;
    Abstract: This publication highlights priorities and strategies in meeting current and emerging needs for skills development in South Asia. The report is in line with the Asian Development Bank’s effort to support its developing member countries’ priorities toward global competitiveness, increased productivity, and inclusive growth. It also identifies key issues, constraints and areas of improvement in making skills training more responsive to emerging labor market needs in South Asia as an important factor in sustaining high economic growth. The report was completed in 2012 under the Australian AID-supported Phase 1 of Subproject 11 (Innovative Strategies for Accelerated Human Resource Development) of RETA 6337 (Development Partnership Program for South Asia).
    Keywords: education, technical skills, vocational skills, labor market, gender inequality, human resources, human capital, innovation, knowledge, skills, human development index, secondary education, labor force, skilling, upskilling, TVET, skills development, training programs, higher education, youth, strategies and innovations, higher education
    Date: 2014–06
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:asd:wpaper:rpt136076&r=knm
  9. By: Annarosa Pesole (European Commission – JRC - IPTS)
    Abstract: During the past years, the role of ICT as key driver and enabler of innovation has been widely recognized. The advent and development of ICT transformed the economy and the society in an evident way. However, what and how ICT contributes to this value creation process and its full potential remains hard to detect. There is a need for continuous monitoring of ICT impacts in order to provide policy makers with appropriate tools to define the right policies to seize ICT benefits. In light of this, a final aim for policy makers is to develop methodologies and tools to measure the performance of ICT innovation in Europe. This report analyses the ICT component within the newly released Innovation output indicator and provide additional informative background on the role and relation between ICT and innovation output.
    Keywords: ICT, innovation, Innovation Output Indicator, composite indicator
    Date: 2015–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc94372&r=knm
  10. By: Chatterjee, Rittwik; Chattopadhyay, Srobonti
    Abstract: This paper makes an attempt to link collaborative research in industry with Government initiative and market rate of interests. Two firms involved in Cournot competition in the market are deciding whether to conduct research to device a technique for cost reduction. Amount of cost reduction after the research and the initial amount of capital possessed by each firm are private information to each of the firms. In particular both of them are having capacity constraint. Our objective here is to figure out the impacts of the lending and borrowing rates of interest on collaborative research. In the process we study the effectiveness of different policies to encourage collaborative R&D.
    Keywords: Collaborative research, Government policy, Subsidy, Interest rate
    JEL: E43 H71 L50 O31 O38
    Date: 2015–02–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:62114&r=knm

This nep-knm issue is ©2015 by Laura Ştefănescu. It is provided as is without any express or implied warranty. It may be freely redistributed in whole or in part for any purpose. If distributed in part, please include this notice.
General information on the NEP project can be found at http://nep.repec.org. For comments please write to the director of NEP, Marco Novarese at <director@nep.repec.org>. Put “NEP” in the subject, otherwise your mail may be rejected.
NEP’s infrastructure is sponsored by the School of Economics and Finance of Massey University in New Zealand.