nep-tid New Economics Papers
on Technology and Industrial Dynamics
Issue of 2005‒05‒29
three papers chosen by
Francesco Lissoni
Universita degli Studi di Brescia

  1. Scientific and Technological Regimes in Nanotechnology: Combinatorial Inventors and Performance By Andrea Bonaccorsi; Grid Thoma
  2. Systems of Innovation and Underdevelopment: An Institutional Perspective By Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Banji
  3. Start-ups, firm growth and the consolidation of the French biotech industry By Avenel, E.; Corolleur, F.; Gauthier, C.; Rieu, C.

  1. By: Andrea Bonaccorsi; Grid Thoma
    Abstract: Academics and policy makers are questioning about the relation between science and technology in the emerging field of nano science and technology (NST) and the effectiveness of different institutional regimes. We analyze the performance of inventors in the NST using multiple indicators. We clustered patents in three groups according to the scientific curricula of the inventors. The first two groups are composed by patents whose inventors respectively are all authors of at least one scientific publication in the NST and none of then has obtained a scientific publication in that field. Thirdly, we isolated those patents that have at least one inventor, who is also author of at least one scientific publication in the NST. The underlining presumption of this classification is that of a proxy of different institutional search regimes of the inventive activity; pure academic research, pure industrial R&D, and academic-industrial research partnerships.
    Keywords: Science-Technology Relation, Emerging Field, Nanotechnology, Patent Quality, Inventive Productivity.
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2005/13&r=tid
  2. By: Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Banji (United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies)
    Abstract: This paper examines institutions and their role in supporting technical change as part of the development process, and asks how institutions shape the system of innovation (SI). The context of underdevelopment exhibits distinct system characteristics that differ markedly from those found under advanced economic conditions and as such deserves close empirical scrutiny. SIs differ significantly under the two sets of conditions, leading to uneven structural changes. The paper therefore explores what functions must be served by systems in developing countries in order to generate technical dynamism. To compare different contexts, it introduces the idea of a System of Learning Innovation in Development (SLID) that emphasizes individual and organizational competence building. The differences between “Advanced” Systems of Innovation (ASI) and two types of SLID are discussed. Infrastructure, one of the key components of institutions involved in development, is used as an illustration. The study found that dynamic SIs function best in a regime of high-quality infrastructure (telephone, Internet, computers and reliable electricity supplies). The case of sub-Saharan Africa serves to illustrate the point.
    Keywords: Innovation, Innovation Policy, Capacity Building, Learning, Economic Development, Infrastructure, Sub-Saharan Africa
    Date: 2005
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unuint:200501&r=tid
  3. By: Avenel, E.; Corolleur, F.; Gauthier, C.; Rieu, C.
    Abstract: Based on an original dataset, we analyze empirically the determinants of firm growth in the French biotech industry during two periods, 1996-1999 and 1999-2002. We have two main results. First, Gibrat's law is violated. The growth of annual turnover is influenced by teh initial size of the firm. The effect is non-linear, negative for small firms. Second, location has a significant impact on growth. We use different sets of dummies to characterize location and different measures of firm growth. As a whole, our results point at Marseilles (and its region) and Nanterre (but not Paris and Evry) as favorable places for the growth of firms between 1999 and 2002. For the 1996-1999, the favorable places are Strasbourg (and Alsace) and Rhône-Alpes (Lyon/Grenoble). Our analysis thus suggests that the changes in the (notably legal) environment of French biotech firms that took place in 1999 had a drastic effect of the comparative advantages of locations for biotech firms.
    Keywords: BIOTECHNOLOGY; INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERING; FIRM GROWTH; FRANCE
    JEL: L25 L65 R30
    Date: 2005
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rea:gaelwp:200503&r=tid

This nep-tid issue is ©2005 by Francesco Lissoni. 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.