Improving Innovation Capacity Research Articles

Does digitization drive corporate social responsibility?

This study investigates the effect of firm-level digitization on corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2020 and a textual data mining approach, we find that digitization is positively associated with CSR performance with multiple tests suggesting that this relationship is causal. The study also finds that firm-level digitization promotes CSR by improving innovation inputs and outputs, stimulating innovation, and improving innovation capacity. The findings are more prominent for firms with lower financing constraints, larger sizes, and higher asset cash recovery rates.

Impact of Innovative City Pilot Policy on Industrial Structure Upgrading in China

Urban innovation has been highly regarded as a modern urban model that drives sustainable urban development by synthesizing knowledge innovation and technological innovation in industrial processes. As such, numerous studies have emerged to investigate the impact of the innovative city pilot policy (ICP), yet the impact of the ICP on industrial structure upgrading has not been explicitly studied. To address the research gap, this study utilizes the ICP in China as a quasi-natural experiment and investigates the impact of the ICP on industrial structure upgrading in Chinese cities. We apply a DID model estimation on a panel dataset of 284 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2007 to 2019. The results indicate that the innovative city pilot policy greatly helps to upgrade the industrial structure in pilot cities, with the upgrading outcome particularly evident in large and non-natural resource-based cities. Mechanism analyses further reveal three channels via which the ICP promotes industrial structure upgrading, specifically by improving innovation capacity, boosting labor clustering, and lowering pollutant emissions. The results of this study carry significant policy implications for China in building a sustainable and modernized economic system and for other emerging nations in seeking economic transformation and industrial structure upgrading.

The Impact of Global Value Chain Embedding on Corporate Risk Taking of China’s A-Share Market-Listed Companies from 2000–2016

Moving towards the high end of the global value chain (GVC) is an inevitable trend of the development of Chinese enterprises, and the level of enterprises’ risk-taking behavior is directly related to their profit acquisition in the global value chain. Based on the matching data of CSMAR and the “General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China”, this paper explores how the embedding of the global value chain affects the risk-taking behavior of enterprises. It is found that (1) R&D investment is an important factor for listed companies to enhance their risk taking by embedding in the global value chain; however, financial constraints will negatively affect this factor. (2) The study’s findings also indicated that improving innovation capacity and increasing R&D investment is crucial for enterprises in developing countries to raise their corporate value. Moreover, it is helpful for enterprises to escape the jaws of danger in the GVC wave. It is advised that the government develop a financial market or enhance the external environment to encourage enterprises’ development. This study reveals the specific impact of global value chain embedding on corporate risk-taking behavior, provides new empirical evidence for understanding the micro mechanism of the relationship between global value chain embedding and economic growth, and has great practical significance for promoting Chinese enterprises to the high-end of the global value chain.

Online English Teaching Based on Artificial Intelligence Internet Technology Embedded System

With education and teaching reform, Internet teaching is increasing. The introduction analysis of short text messages generated by e-learning can optimise class, improving innovation capacity and cooperation. To study the way of instructional design under artificial intelligence, the current status of the development of instructional has to be mentioned. In order to study the impact of online teaching on the improvement of computer thinking and skills in higher vocational education, this article is based on online English teaching embedded in the Internet and on virtual simulation technology, to enable primary school students to cultivate computer education thinking from an early age. The personalities can be fully represented and developed.

Industry-Academia research collaboration in software engineering: The Certus model

Research collaborations between software engineering industry and academia can provide significant benefits to both sides, including improved innovation capacity for industry, and real-world environment for motivating and validating research ideas. However, building scalable and effective research collaborations in software engineering is known to be challenging. While such challenges can be varied and many, in this paper we focus on the challenges of achieving participative knowledge creation supported by active dialog between industry and academia and continuous commitment to joint problem solving. This paper aims to understand what are the elements of a successful industry-academia collaboration that enable the culture of participative knowledge creation. We conducted participant observation collecting qualitative data spanning 8 years of collaborative research between a software engineering research group on software V&V and the Norwegian IT sector. The collected data was analyzed and synthesized into a practical collaboration model, named the Certus Model. The model is structured in seven phases, describing activities from setting up research projects to the exploitation of research results. As such, the Certus model advances other collaborations models from literature by delineating different phases covering the complete life cycle of participative research knowledge creation. The Certus model describes the elements of a research collaboration process between researchers and practitioners in software engineering, grounded on the principles of research knowledge co-creation and continuous commitment to joint problem solving. The model can be applied and tested in other contexts where it may be adapted to the local context through experimentation.

Evaluation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Enterprise Talents Based on Structural Equation Model Analysis

Enterprises are essential driving forces of social and economic growth. In recent years, China has vigorously encouraged entrepreneurship nationwide, and the number of enterprises has proliferated. However, enterprises face multiple problems in the development process, such as the lack of core technologies and the internal growth factors of sustainable business. To address these problems, we analyzed the influencing factors of enterprise talent innovation in this paper. The results show that the strength, scale, and stability of the network relationship between enterprises and seven entities have a significant positive effect on improving the innovation capacity of enterprises and that the improved innovation capacity can bring innovation performance to enterprises to some extent.

How does China’s industrial policy affect firms’ R&D investment? Evidence from ‘Made in China 2025’

ABSTRACT Aimed at improving innovation capacity and upgrading technology of manufacturing industry, ‘Made in China 2025’ (CM2025), which relies on selective industrial policies, has attracted great attention. This paper investigates the effects of CM2025 on firms’ R&D investment using CEM-DID, a combination method based on the coarsened exact matching and the difference-in-difference. The method can effectively identify causal relationships without suffering from selection bias. Employing a panel data of 1,440 Chinese A-share listed firms from 2012 to 2018, we find firms with core business covered by the areas of CM2025 increase their R&D investment significantly after the policy intervention. Moreover, CM2025 significantly increases government subsidies and financial loans for treated firms, and both effects are larger for SOEs. This finding supports the critique that CM2025 goes against the competitive neutrality principle. No increase in innovation output and total factor productivity is found in the short-term. Our findings are enlightening for enacting better industrial policies.

INNOVATION FACTORS AND THEIR FINANCING IN LATVIA

The problem of research is still relatively low innovative activity in Latvia in relation to other European countries based on European Innovation Scoreboard date. The paper discusses the definition of innovation and its essence as well as the factors improving innovation capacity. The paper also lists financial resources avaliable in Latvia, that can be used for development of innovative activities.

Progress and prospects of natural gas development technologies in China

Under the present situation of low global oil prices and vigorous development of green energy resources, China has turned to focus on natural gas in oil and gas sector, both production and consumption of which are soaring high these days and the role of which is gradually prominent in energy sources. With the aims to help promote the further rapid development of natural gas business in China, this paper analyzed natural gas development process and summarized the new advances in natural gas development technologies in the recent years. On this basis, this paper analyzed the prospects of natural gas development in China in the four aspects of production rates, demand potential, import volume, future position of natural gas. The following results were obtained. (1) Since the 12th Five-Year Plan, natural gas business has been doing well with a rapid increase of consumption, diversified supply sources, steadily increasing of reserves and production rates, obviously satisfactory benefits from exploitation. (2) Breakthroughs have been made in technical bottlenecking problems with an improved innovation capacity in the respects of deep-strata gas development, large-scale gas field development adjustment, tight-gas recovery enhancement, development of shale and CBM gas, engineering techniques, and development strategies support system. (3) With the deepening of development, influenced by policies, environment concerns and geological conditions, continuous efficient natural gas development will face up with such challenges as lower ratio of quality reserves, higher gas field development expenses, more difficult benefit development of unconventional gas reservoirs, further compressed upstream benefits, less stable production capacity of those major gas fields, increasingly fierce competition in the energy market, etc. In conclusion, it is demonstrated that natural gas development in China will enter into a new stage of attaching equal importance to both unconventional and conventional gas; natural gas demand potential will be great and its consumption structure will become more diversified; gas imports will rise year by year, resulting in the vigorously increasing external dependency; and natural gas will become the main growth engine in the process of energy mix adjustment.

Innovation capacity, organisational culture and gender

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of gender diversity on organisational capacity for innovation, and explore the factors that affect the relationship between gender diversity and innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies the Innovation Phase Assessment Instrument (a 168-item survey instrument designed to assess an organisation’s alignment to six dimensions of human capital innovation inputs) to members of an Australian manufacturing firm, exploring relationships across both gender and work function in the firm.FindingsInitial results suggest a negative relationship between proportion of females in functional areas and capacity for innovation. Further analysis suggests that capacity for innovation among female employees was suppressed by an unfavourable organisational climate (OC).Practical implicationsWith a trend towards greater gender diversity as a means for improving organisational innovation, managers should be aware of the role that OC plays in assisting innovation. The relationship between gender diversity and innovation is not merely quantitative, but is also qualitative. Simply increasing the number of females in male-dominated firms may not result in improved innovation capacity. Unless the OC of the firm is aligned to what is needed for successful innovation, the benefits of greater gender diversity may not be realised.Originality/valueThis study integrates research from the psychology of creativity and innovation with consideration of organisational design and innovation management. The study demonstrates that a highly differentiated analysis of psychological antecedents to innovation can be used to cast new light on the origins of gender and other group differences in firms. The findings add important new knowledge to the arguments in favour of greater gender diversity as a means for improving organisational innovation.

Development of Technology-Based SMEs, Transfer of Technology, and Innovation Strengthening in Indonesia

SMEs have become a backbone of Indonesia’s economy. An improved innovation capacity of this sector will significantly contribute to the economy growth and accelerate poverty alleviation. Indonesian government has introduced various policies, program and schemes to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs such as providing wider access to financial resources, access to market, technical skill and business development, technology adoption, and procurement. SMEs have also played an important role in the development of energy security such as in the adoption of micro-hydro power technology in various parts of Indonesia. On transfer of technology initiatives, there is an increasing trend in many R&D institution and higher education institutions to systematically develop their capacity to be better service providers to industry. A number of technology intermediaries have been established from institutional level up to national level. Since the last ten years, there has been a growing interest in development of technology business incubation which, amongst other, can become an effective technology transfer mechanism for R&D institution and higher education institutions to further develop the growth of newly technology-based SMEs. Yet, some challenges on this transfer of technology remain. These, among other, include: a need for a sustainable supports to intermediaries until they have minimum capacity to stand on its own, human resources capacity building, and more importantly creation of a conducive ecosystem to new entrepreneurs to access and adopt technology innovation. On national innovation system (NIS/SINAS) strengthening, Indonesia has taken a systematical approach by introducing and implementing various policies and programs. Policies include, for example, inclusion of NIS as a development priority in the mid-term national development plan (RPJM) and institutionalization of policy making body through the establishment of National Committee for Innovation (KIN) who directly responsible to the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Further, a number of initiatives and programs on strengthening of regional innovation system (SIDA) have also been introduced. This includes strengthening capacity of local governments in the development of SIDA in selected regions. In 2011 the government has launched a new initiative, i.e. Master plan of Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia Economic Development (MP3EI) 2011-2025 where strengthening national human resources capability and science & technology is one of the three strategies. It seems that this political commitment needs to be pushed further to become a national movement. It is therefore necessary to undertake a number of initiatives especially in the area of capacity building of policy makers and executives in central and more importantly in local government. Finally, this paper proposes three proposals, i.e., International Conference Sustainable Energy Engineering and Application: Solar and Biomass Energy, International Seminar and Workshop on Enhancement of Grassroot Innovation Competitiveness for Poverty Alleviation, and strengthening technology business incubators management capacity on specific skills

Indonesia's Policies, Measures, and Mechanisms to Strengthen Innovation and Technology Transfer

An improved innovation capacity of this sector will significantly contribute to the economy growth and accelerate poverty alleviation. Indonesian government has introduced various policies, program and schemes to strengthen its national innovation capacity. On transfer of technology initiatives, there is an increasing trend in many R&D institution and higher education institutions to systematically develop their capacity to be better service providers to industry. A growing numbers of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) amongst other is aimed at promoting the development of newly technology-based firms/SMEs. Currently there are around 50 technology and business incubators in Indonesia. Likewise, there is an increasing number of developments of Science and Technology Park. In these two types of intermediaries, TBIs and Science and Technology Parks most of them are still in its infancy stages. However, it is interesting to note that there is an encouraging trend in the development of these TBIs and STPs, i.e., an increasing number of TBIs and STPs are initiated by private sectors. TBIs, can become an effective technology transfer mechanism for R&D institution and higher education institutions to further develop the growth of newly technology-based SMEs. Yet, some challenges on this transfer of technology remain. These, among other, include: a need for a sustainable supports to intermediaries until they have minimum capacity to stand on its own, human resources capacity building, and more importantly creation of a conducive ecosystem to new entrepreneurs to access and adopt technology innovation. On national innovation system (NIS/SINAS) strengthening, Indonesia has taken a systematical approach by introducing and implementing various policies and programs. Policies include, for example, inclusion of NIS as a development priority in the mid-term national development plan (RPJM) and institutionalization of policy making body through the establishment of National Committee for Innovation (KIN) who directly responsible to the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Further, a number of initiatives and programs on strengthening of regional innovation system (SIDA) have also been introduced. This includes strengthening capacity of local governments in the development of SIDA in selected regions. In 2011 the government has launched a new initiative, i.e. Master Plan of Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia Economic Development (MP3EI) 2011-2025 where strengthening national human resources capability and science & technology is one of the three strategies. Implementation of this MP3EI is formulated in the so-called 1 747 innovation initiatives proposed by National Innovation Committee. Finally, this paper proposes two proposals on Study and Workshop on Effective Financing Strategy to Accelerate Technology Transfer to Tec-Based SMEs and Conference and Forum of Asia Pacific Science and Technology Park.

Evaluation Index System of Corporation’s Innovation Capacity and Application Study

Innovation is the precondition for the sustainable development of corporation, and the purpose of “reform of the supply front” which the government puts forward at present is to improve the innovation capacity of corporation. In this paper, in order to provide reference for improving innovation capacity and seek the factor of improving the innovation capacity, an evaluation index system of corporation’s innovation capacity is established after analyzing the input, profit, steady finance and governance capacity of the corporations which are listed on the Growth Enterprises Market by comparing the score of each corporation’s innovation capacity.

R & D, Technology Imports and Innovation Capacity—Evidence from High-Tech Industry of China

The paper is dedicated to probing into the effects of R & D, foreign and domestic technology imports on innovation capacity by using the province-level panel data of high-tech industry from 1999 to 2012. The analysis shows that R & D, foreign technology imports do have positive influences on improving innovation capacity while the effects of domestic technology transfer are not significant and R & D do positive effects on assimilating foreign and domestic technology imports. The relationships among R & D, foreign and domestic technology and innovation capacity also take on different patterns in different regions. Technology imports’ influences on improving innovation capacity are not significant in the middle and west region. Each region should propose specific incentives for innovation to enhance regional innovation capability.

The Relationship between International Marketing Resarch Process and Innovation Capacity

Market orientation, investment on R-D, leadership, culture are few key determinants of innovation capacity. According to our research, internationalization by exporting playing a role on improving innovation capacity, which requires proper international marketing research. In this study, qualitative data collected from exporters who are the members of Aegean Export Union in Izmir-Turkey. In depth interviews were conducted for investigating the relationship between international marketing research process and innovation capacity.

Combined Innovation Policy: Linking Scientific and Practical Knowledge in Innovation Systems

New research indicates that firms combining the science-based STI (Science, Technology, Innovation) and the experience-based DUI (Doing, Using, Interacting) modes of innovation are more efficient when it comes to improving innovation capacity and competitiveness. With regard to innovation policy, the STI mode calls for a supply-driven policy, typically aimed to commercialize research results. The DUI mode suggests a demand-driven policy approach, such as supporting the development of new products or services to specific markets. This article analyses how the two types of innovation policies and the two innovation modes can be combined in regional innovation systems (RISs). The analysis builds on studies of the food industry and related knowledge organizations in two counties, Rogaland County (Norway) and Skåne County (Sweden), and two policy initiatives (NCE Culinology and Skåne Food Innovation Network) aimed at strengthening the innovative capability of the RISs. The analysis indicates that policies aimed to link science- and user-driven innovation activity should focus on building absorptive capacity of DUI firms (e.g. through increased scientific competence) and implementation capacity of STI firms (e.g. through increased market and process competence).

Frumkvöðlar og nýsköpun

Við upphaf 21. aldarinnar var Ísland eitt opnasta þjóðríki í heimi, vel menntuð þjóð með fjölþætt greinabundin tengsl og góðan aðgang að erlendu fjármagni. Tæplega tíu árum síðar hrynur íslenska bankakerfið og fjölmörg stærstu fyrirtæki landsins verða gjaldþrota. Í þessari grein eru kenningar Schumpeters, Kirzners og Baumols um frumkvöðulinn og hlutverk hans notaðar til að fjalla um hvernig aukin færni til nýsköpunar, opnun erlendra markaða og einkavæðing leiðir ríka þjóð inn í alþjóðlegt hagkerfi með ófyrirséðum afleiðingum. Spurt er hvort endurskapa megi aftur þær hagfelldu forsendur sem til staðar voru í upphafi aldarinnar og vinna að því að atvinnulífið leiti í farveg sem er happadrjúgur fyrir íslenskt samfélag. Niðurstaðan er sú að það sé hægt takist að hlúa að þeim sérhæfðu nýsköpunarfyrirtækjum sem haldið hafa velli og byggja upp nýsköpunardrifið hagkerfi. Til þess þarf að gera breytingar á stofnanaumhverfi og forðast atvinnustefnu sem byggir á nýtingu fullnýttra náttúruauðlinda.

Ekonomiczne konsekwencje intensyfikacji powiązań sieciowych w gospodarce globalnej

The aim of the paper is to discuss the economic consequences of growing importance of networking, its implications for improving innovation capacity of companies and whole countries. The evolution of main aims and the economic role of government is also discussed in this article.

Innovation capacity: working towards a mechanism for improving innovation within an inter‐organizational network

Improving the innovation capacity of firms is dependent upon various factors, among which the continuous supply of innovation resources and the accumulation of innovation knowledge are crucial. Utilizing the interaction between the two factors within an inter‐organizational network, a firm should be working towards a mechanism for improving innovation capacity (MIIC) which benefits the process of research and development (R&D) for new products, not only to meet customer needs but also to create new markets. This paper examines the experience of a firm in improving its innovation capacity through the initiation of a collaborative project with one other network member. The result implies that the two factors dynamically interact within inter‐organizational networks creating a cycle of improvement and contributing to the development of innovation capacity for improved organizational competitiveness.

Small Firms, Social Capital and the Enhancement of Business Performance Through Innovation Programmes

The paper explores the extent to which social capital is advantageous to small and medium enterprise (SME) growth. Social capital is a communal property involving civic engagement, associational membership, high trust, reliability and reciprocity in social networks. It is capable of being identified in social, political and economic contexts, often associated with strong communities. However, not all strong communities exert the effects of social capital in respect of business activities. This paper assesses government programmes to promote collaboration amongst SMEs for improving innovation capacity by increasing social capital through networking. It shows that, for a sizeable proportion of programme-funded firms in Denmark, Ireland and Wales (U.K.) social capital building was associated with enhanced business, knowledge and innovation performance. Of particular importance was the opportunity afforded to firms for linkage with external innovation networks, and the build-up of embeddedness, or the institutional basis for the enhancement of social capital. As a consequence of discovering the advantages of social capital, over a third of respondents planned to continue to develop it in future, in many cases funding such activities privately rather than calling on the public purse.