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on Small Business Management |
| By: | Baum, Christopher F (Department of Economics, Boston College and Department of Macroeconomics, DIW Berlin); Lööf, Hans (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology); Nabavi, Pardis (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology); Stephan, Andreas (Jönkoping International Business School and Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.) |
| Abstract: | We evaluate a Generalized Structural Equation Model (GSEM) approach to the estimation of the relationship between R&D, innovation and productivity that focuses on the potentially crucial heterogeneity across technology and knowledge levels. The model accounts for selectivity and handles the endogeneity of this relationship in a recursive framework. Employing a panel of Swedish firms observed in three consecutive Community Innovation Surveys, our maximum likelihood estimates show that many key channels of influence among the model's components differ meaningfully in their statistical significance and magnitude across sectors defined by different technology levels. |
| Keywords: | R&D; Innovation; Productivity; Generalized Structural Equation Model; Community Innovation Survey |
| JEL: | C23 L60 O32 O52 |
| Date: | 2015–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0408&r=sbm |
| By: | Fitjar, Rune Dahl; Rodriguez-Pose, Andres |
| Abstract: | The paper assesses the role for innovation of one aspect which has been generally overlooked by evolutionary economic geography: context. It analyses how context shapes the impact of collaboration on firm-level innovation for 1604 firms located in the five largest city regions of Norway. Specifically, the analysis shows how the benefits to firms of collaborating within regional, national, and international innovation networks are affected by the knowledge endowments of the region within which the firm is located. Using a logit regression analysis, we find, first, that only national and international networking have a significant positive impact on the likelihood of innovation (the former only for process innovation), whereas the regional knowledge endowments have no direct effect. Second, regional cooperation is particularly effective in regions with high investments in R&D, whereas international cooperation is important in regions with an educated workforce – and regional and national collaboration may be ineffective in such cases. We conclude that, in the case of Norway, context is essential in determining the capacity of firms to set up networks and innovate. Regions with an educated workforce can use the resulting absorptive capacity to successfully assimilate knowledge being diffused through global pipelines from faraway places. However, this absorptive capacity is likely to be heavily filtered if regional firms mainly rely on internal connections within Norway. |
| Keywords: | context; firms; human capital; innovation; interaction; networking; Norway; R&D |
| JEL: | O31 O32 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:10624&r=sbm |
| By: | Chia-Lin Chang (Department of Applied Economics, Department of Finance, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan); Michael McAleer (Econometric Institute, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Tinbergen Institute, The Netherlands, Department of Quantitative Economics, Complutense University of Madrid, and Institute of Economic Research, Kyoto University.); Ju-Ting Tang (Department of Applied Economics National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.) |
| Abstract: | With the advent of globalization, economic and financial interactions among countries have become widespread. Given technological advancements, the factors of production can no longer be considered to be just labor and capital. In the pursuit of economic growth, every country has sensibly invested in international cooperation, learning, innovation, technology diffusion and knowledge. In this paper, we use a panel data set of 40 countries from 1981 to 2008 and a negative binomial model, using a novel set of cross-border patents and joint patents as proxy variables for technology diffusion, in order to investigate such diffusion. The empirical results suggest that, if it is desired to shift from foreign to domestic technology, it is necessary to increase expenditure on R&D for business enterprises and higher education, exports and technology. If the focus is on increasing bilateral technology diffusion, it is necessary to increase expenditure on R&D for higher education and technology. |
| Keywords: | International Technology Diffusion, Exports, Imports, Joint Patent, Cross-border Patent, R&D, Negative Binomial Panel Data. |
| JEL: | F14 F21 O30 O57 E30 E31 E52 C22 F15 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ucm:doicae:1506&r=sbm |
| By: | Alessia Lo Turco; Daniela Maggioni |
| Abstract: | We explore the role of firm and local product-specific capabilities in fostering the introduction of new products in the Turkish manufacturing. Firms' product space evolution is characterised by strong cognitive path dependence which, however, is relaxed by firm heterogeneity in terms of size, efficiency and international exposure. The introduction of new products in laggard Eastern regions, which is importantly related to the evolution of their industrial output, is mainly affected by firm internal product specific resources. On the contrary, product innovations in Western advanced regions hinge relatively more on the availability of suitable local competencies. |
| Keywords: | Product relatedness, Firm heterogeneity, Product Innovation |
| JEL: | D22 O53 O12 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:egu:wpaper:1517&r=sbm |
| By: | Dalibor Paniæ (Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia - Tax Administration, Uzice) |
| Abstract: | Contemporary markets that are distinguished by high degree of instability have prompted the necessity for correction of development models in all economies that are market-orientated and aspiring to be competitive on a global level. As a response to the challenge, many countries have ’turned’ to the sector of small and medium-size companies that have the necessary degree of business flexibility and adaptability in response to external influences. The fundamental development resource of the „small business“ subject is the entrepreneurship. Understanding of this concept is a primary prerequisite of its implementation. Thus, the aim of this paper is to highlight the main characteristics and implications of entrepreneurship, with a special emphasis on agro-business, considering the importance of this area not only in economical parameters. |
| Keywords: | entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises, agro-business; |
| JEL: | L Q |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esb:castrc:2014-318&r=sbm |
| By: | Fátima Diniz (Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, Portugal); Elias Soukiazis (Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra and GEMF, Portugal) |
| Abstract: | The mould for plastics industry in Portugal is highly technological, innovative and modern, with a clear focus on exports. It is one of the most successful sectors in this country with high reputation in the world markets. The main aim of this study is to explain this success by detecting the main factors which determine the dynamic production structure of this industry and its transformation over time. Focus is given on the multiple aspects of human capital, such as work experience, learning by doing tendencies, innovation, dissemination of knowledge and business cooperation between companies that generate positive externalities in the production process. All these factors contribute significantly to explain the success this industry has achieved over the recent decades. A production function framework is employed in line with the neoclassical approach where human capital is the engine of growth as has been postulated by the endogenous growth theory. The production function is estimated by using unbalanced panel data and applied to a sample of firms operating in this industry, over the period 1987-2012. Our empirical evidence suggests that factors such as physical capital(cutting edge technology, including specific software) and quantitative as well as qualitative factors associated with human capital are the key factors explaining the production dynamics of the moulds industry in Portugal. Increasing returns to scale and human capital externalities are also identified as special characteristics in this sector. |
| Keywords: | Production function, economies to scale, human capital externalities, panel data, moulds industry. |
| JEL: | D24 D62 F43 I25 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gmf:wpaper:2015-11.&r=sbm |
| By: | Laura Južnik Rotar (Faculty of Business and Management Sciences Novo mesto) |
| Abstract: | The paper deals with the problem of youth unemployment and entrepreneurship as a way out of unemployment. The battle against youth unemployment is a top European priority, since the youth unemployment rate is more than twice as high as the adult one, because the chances for a young unemployed person of finding a job are low, because their jobs tend to be less stable, because there are significant skills mismatches on the labor market. Entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of economic growth and job creation; it makes economies more competitive and innovative. The motivation for entrepreneurial career is different with different age cohorts. Youth represent a group with the highest entrepreneurial potential. In the empirical study, we analyze entrepreneurial tendencies among Slovene students of business schools and with factor analysis approach we try to define underlying entrepreneurial tendency dimensions as the literature suggests that entrepreneurial characteristics play an important role in influencing the individual’ decision to become entrepreneurs. We defined four such entrepreneurial tendency dimensions: need for independence and achievement, problem solving, planning, and dealing with uncertain situations. However, the need for independence and achievement and problem solving are the strongest drivers of entrepreneurial tendency. The results of the study can be of help to policymakers when updating labor market policy measures in connection with the educational policy. |
| Keywords: | youth unemployment, entrepreneurship, competitiveness, self-employment, entrepreneurial characteristics. |
| JEL: | J21 J23 C38 L26 |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esb:casctr:2014-405&r=sbm |
| By: | Severine Le Loarne (MTS - Management Technologique et Strategique - Grenoble École de Management (GEM)); Adnane Maalaoui (ESG Paris – School of Business) |
| Abstract: | Purpose: This paper focuses on how entrepreneurs anticipate and change their company's business process management after developing a radical innovation. The paper is based on a critical approach to business process modelling (BPM) that posits that—in spite of all the claims, guides, and tools that companies employ to help them modelise their processes—business processes are developed and improved (or at least changed) by individuals who negotiate, anticipate, and compromise to make these changes occur. Thus, BPM is more a matter of "bricolage" (Levi-Strauss) than an established and defined plan. Based on this position, our paper analyses how a business process model emerges in the early phases of a high tech new venture when the entrepreneur lacks a valid template to form a conceptual representation of the firm's business processes. Design/Methodology/Approach: We adopt a perspective based on the concept of bricolage. By analysing and comparing the discourse of 40 entrepreneurs—20 involved in an activity based on a radical innovation and 20 involved in an activity based on a more incremental concept—we are able to answer the two research questions. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:gemptp:hal-01107743&r=sbm |
| By: | Anders Bornhal (HUI Research AB, SE-103 29 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Economics, Dalarna University, SE-781 88 Borlange, Sweden; And school of Business, Orebro University, SE-701 82 Orebro Sweden.); Sven-Olov Daunfeldt (HUI Research AB, SE-103 29 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Economics, Dalarna University, SE-781 88 Borlange, Sweden;); Niklas Rudholm (HUI Research AB, SE-103 29 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Economics, Dalarna University, SE-781 88 Borlange, Sweden;) |
| Abstract: | A natural experiment is used to identify the causal relationship be- tween employment protection legislation and Örm growth in Sweden. A reform of the last-in-Örst-out principle increased employment growth with over 4,000 additional jobs per year in Örms with less than eleven employees. Firms with ten employees became 3.4 percentage points less likely to increase their workforce, indicating that an introduced threshold kept them from growing. Thus, employment protection leg- islation seems to act as a growth barrier for small Örms. |
| Keywords: | Firm growth; growth barriers; employment protection |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sru:ssewps:2015-17&r=sbm |