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on Technology and Industrial Dynamics |
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Issue of 2014‒01‒24
eight papers chosen by Fulvio Castellacci Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) |
| By: | Andrea Morescalchi (IMT Lucca Institute for Advanced Studies); Fabio Pammolli (IMT Lucca Institute for Advanced Studies); Orion Penner (IMT Lucca Institute for Advanced Studies); Alexander M. Petersen (IMT Lucca Institute for Advanced Studies); Massimo Riccaboni (IMT Lucca Institute for Advanced Studies) |
| Abstract: | Recent studies on the geography of knowledge networks have documented a negative impact of physical distance and institutional borders upon research and development (R&D) collaborations. Though it is widely recognized that geographic constraints and national borders impede the diffusion of knowledge, less attention has been devoted to the temporal evolution of these constraints. In this study we use data on patents filed with the European Patent Office (EPO) for OECD countries to analyze the impact of physical distance and country borders on inter-regional links in four different networks over the period 1988-2009: (1) co-inventorship, (2) patent citations, (3) inventor mobility and (4) the location of R&D laboratories. We find the constraint imposed by country borders and distance decreased until mid-1990s then started to grow, particularly for distance. We further investigate the role of large innovation "hubs" as attractors of new collaboration opportunities and the impact of region size and locality on the evolution of cross-border patenting activities. The intensity of European cross-country inventor collaborations increased at a higher pace than their non-European counterparts until 2004, with no significant relative progress thereafter. Moreover, when analyzing networks of geographical mobility, multinational R&D activities and patent citations we cannot detect any substantial progress in European research integration above and beyond the common global trend. |
| Keywords: | Geography of knowledge, Networks of Innovators, European integration, Spatial proximity, Cross-border collaboration, Gravity model |
| JEL: | O31 O38 R12 R23 D89 |
| Date: | 2014–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ial:wpaper:1/2014&r=tid |
| By: | T. Buchmann; D. Hain; Muhamed Kudic; M. Müller |
| Abstract: | Our primary goal is to analyse the drivers of evolutionary network change processes by using a stochastic actor-based simulation approach. We contribute to the literature by combining two unique datasets, concerning the German laser and automotive industry, between 2002 and 2006 to explore whether geographical, network-related, and techno-logical determinants affect the evolution of networks, and if so, as to what extent these determinants systematically differ for science-driven industries compared to scale-intensive industries. Our results provide empirical evidence for the explanatory power of network-related determinants in both industries. The ‘experience effect’ as well as the ‘transitivity effects’ are significant for both industries but more pronounced for laser manufacturing firms. When it comes to ‘geographical effects’ and ‘technological ef-fects’ the picture changes considerably. While geographical proximity plays an important role in the automotive industry, firms in the laser industry seem to be less dependent on geographical closeness to cooperation partners; instead they rather search out for cooperation opportunities in distance. This might reflect the strong dependence of firms in science-driven industries to access diverse external knowledge, which cannot necessarily be found in the close geographical surrounding. Technological proximity negatively influences cooperation decisions for laser source manufacturers, yet has no impact for automotive firms. In other words, technological heterogeneity seems to ex-plain, at least in science-driven industries, the attractiveness of potential cooperation partners. |
| Keywords: | network evolution, innovation network, automotive industry, laser industry, SIENA |
| JEL: | O32 C41 D85 |
| Date: | 2014–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwh:dispap:1-14&r=tid |
| By: | Heshmati, Almas (Sogang University) |
| Abstract: | Korean government has invested significant amount of resources through credit guarantee funds to promote SMEs survival, performance and R&D investment. This study attempts to identify determinants of provision of credit guarantees and estimate their effects on firms R&D expenditures. The relationship between duration of credit and firm's survival and performance is also investigated. Account is made for heterogeneity by various characteristics of firms when looking at credit guarantee and in-house R&D investment relationships. This study results in identification of factors that enhances efficiency of funds and their effects on firms' R&D investment behavior. It enables feedback effects on the public funds selection of firms guaranteed. A number of policy measures are proposed to promote a better balance between public and private investments to reduce the risk of business failure. |
| Keywords: | Credit Guarantee, SMEs, public funds, R&D investment, firm performance, firm survival, Death Valley |
| JEL: | C13 D92 G28 L25 O32 O38 |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7851&r=tid |
| By: | Segarra Blasco, Agustí, 1958-; Gombau, Verònica |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the profile of Spanish young innovative companies (YICs) and the determinants of innovation and imitation strategies. The results for an extensive sample of 2,221 Spanish firms studied during the period 2004–2010 show that YICs are found in all sectors, although they are more concentrated in high-tech sectors and, in particular, in knowledge-intensive services (KIS). Three of every four YICs are involved in KIS. Our results highlight that financial and knowledge barriers have much impact on the capacity of young, small firms to innovate and to become YICs, whereas market barriers are not obstacles to becoming a YIC. Public funding, in particular from the European Union, makes it easier for a new firm to become a YIC. In addition, YICs are more likely to innovate than mature firms, although they are more susceptible to sectoral and territorial factors. YICs make more dynamic use of innovation and imitation strategies when they operate in high-tech industries and are based in science parks located close to universities. Keywords: innovation strategies, public innovation policies, barriers to innovation, multinomial probit model. JEL Codes: D01, D22 , L60, L80, O31 |
| Keywords: | Microeconomia, Conducta organitzacional, Manufactures, Sector terciari, Innovacions tecnològiques -- Política governamental, 33 - Economia, |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:urv:wpaper:2072/222200&r=tid |
| By: | Hessels, Jolanda (Erasmus University Rotterdam); Brixy, Udo (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg); Naudé, Wim (Maastricht School of Management); Gries, Thomas (University of Paderborn) |
| Abstract: | We extend Lazear's theory of skills variety and entrepreneurship in three directions. First, we provide a theoretical framework linking new business creation with an entrepreneur's skill variety. Second, in this model we allow for both generalists and specialists to possess skill variety. Third, we test our model empirically using data from Germany and the Netherlands. Individuals with more varied work experience seems indeed more likely to successfully start up a new business and that being a generalist does not seem to be important in this regard. Finally, we find that innovation positively moderates the relationship between having varied experiences, and being successful in starting up a new business. Our conclusion is that entrepreneurs with more varied work experience are more likely to introduce innovations that have not only technical, but also commercial value. Our findings support the notion that entrepreneurship can be learned. |
| Keywords: | entrepreneurship, start-ups, human capital, innovation, skills |
| JEL: | L26 M13 J24 O31 |
| Date: | 2014–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7889&r=tid |
| By: | Katariina Nilsson Hakkala; Alessandro Sembenelli |
| Abstract: | Spillovers can arise when multinational firms (MNEs) train local employees who later join domestic firms, bringing with them part of the technological, marketing and managerial knowledge they have acquired. Fosfuri et al. (2001) suggest that the direction and the intensity of the worker mobility, and its associated spillovers, are affected by the degree of product market competition. In this paper, we assess empirically the importance of this hypothesis for the first time by using the Finnish longitudinal employeer-employee data. We first quantify the importance of spillovers via worker mobility by estimating augmented production functions. Second, we analyse the impact of product market competition and absorptive capacity on worker mobility by estimating several competing risks models. We find that productivity spillovers arise only when workers move from MNEs to purely domestic firms in high-tech industries. Further, in line with predictions of Fosfuri et al, our results show that competition reduces worker mobility. This details a channel through which competition may affect total factor productivity of purely domestic plants adversely. |
| Keywords: | spillovers, labour mobility, product-market competition, linked employer-employee data |
| JEL: | D24 F23 D22 J62 |
| Date: | 2014–01–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fer:wpaper:54&r=tid |
| By: | Roberto Samaniego (George Washington University) |
| Abstract: | Economies tend to diversify and then re-specialize as they develop. In an economy with many industries that experience different rates of productivity growth, these "stages of diversification" may obtain if initial conditions are skewed away from the industries that dominate economic structure in the long run as a matter of productivitydriven structural change. A calibrated multi-industry growth model with many countries replicates the main features of the "stages of diversification". We also present evidence that countries shift resources towards high-TFP growth manufacturing industries, and towards low-TFP growth sectors, consistent with the model. |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:red:sed013:774&r=tid |
| By: | Benjamin Kern (University of Marburg) |
| Abstract: | The relevant competitors in regard to innovation might, but not necessarily do, correspond to the identified competitors on actual product markets. Hence, the conventional analysis of product markets, in order to assess the potential anticompetitive effects of mergers, is insufficient to capture innovation competition in its full extent. As a consequence, the aim of this article is to introduce and compare the existing alternative approaches which can, in principle, be used for the assessment of anticompetitive innovation effects in merger review. By focusing on the applied U.S. Antitrust, it turns out that none of the existing approaches seems to be appropriate to fully account for innovation competition. However, the ‘Innovation Market Analysis’, the first framework especially designed for the assessment of innovation aspects, might still serve as a good starting point for the development of a revised assessment framework. |
| JEL: | B52 K21 L12 L41 O31 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mar:magkse:201408&r=tid |