Innovation Persistence Research Articles

The Impact of National Big Data Pilot Zones on the Persistence of Green Innovation: A Moderating Perspective Based on Green Finance

Enhancing the persistence of corporate green innovation is crucial for promoting sustainable societal development. As big data technologies and related policies advance, digitalization emerges as an effective enabler of green innovation in enterprises. This study, grounded in resource-based theory and corporate ecology theory, examines the impact of national-level big data pilot zone reforms on the persistence of corporate green innovation, utilizing data from China’s A-share-listed companies from 2011 to 2021. It also explores the moderating effect of green finance development. Empirical results indicate that (1) the implementation of national-level big data pilot zones positively influences the persistence of green innovation, with robustness and endogeneity tests confirming these findings. (2) The development of regional green finance positively moderates this relationship. (3) A mediation analysis reveals that national-level big data policies enhance innovation persistence by alleviating financing constraints, promoting talent aggregation, and facilitating industrial upgrading. (4) The heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive impact of these reforms is more pronounced in non-state-owned, non-heavy polluting firms, those receiving high subsidies, and in regions with stringent environmental regulations. This study offers a novel theoretical perspective on and empirical evidence for digital transformation from the angle of national policy, supporting societal green development and contributing to policy enhancement aimed at achieving sustainable growth.

With whom should I work? Partners’ network characteristics and innovation persistence

In studying the implications of collaboration networks on innovation persistence, previous research has primarily focused on the network characteristics of focal inventors, often overlooking those of their partners. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate what and how partners' network characteristics—specifically, network centrality and structural holes—affect the focal inventor's innovation persistence, by positing and testing the diversity and novelty of knowledge recombination as important mediators. We collected a panel patent dataset in the lithography industry between 2000 and 2023 and conducted data analysis using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model, robustness test, and endogeneity test. Results indicate that partners' network centrality has an inverted U-shaped impact on innovation persistence, whereas partners' structural holes positively influence innovation persistence. The findings further show how the diversity and novelty of knowledge recombination mediate the relationships between partners' network characteristics and innovation persistence. This paper provides valuable insights for inventors, researchers, and policymakers, emphasizing the crucial role of partnerships and knowledge recombination in promoting innovation persistence.

Enhancing Sensitivity and Selectivity in Pesticide Detection: A Review of Cutting-Edge Techniques.

The primary goal of our review was to systematically explore and compare the state-of-the-art methodologies employed in the detection of pesticides, a critical component of global food safety initiatives. New approach methods in the fields of luminescent nanosensors, chromatography, terahertz spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy are discussed as precise, rapid, and versatile strategies for pesticide detection in food items and agroecological samples. Luminescent nanosensors emerge as powerful tools, noted for their portability and unparalleled sensitivity and real-time monitoring capabilities. Liquid and gas chromatography coupled to spectroscopic detectors, stalwarts in the analytical chemistry field, are lauded for their precision, wide applicability, and validation in diverse regulatory environments. Terahertz spectroscopy offers unique advantages such as noninvasive testing, profound penetration depth, and bulk sample handling. Meanwhile, Raman spectroscopy stands out with its nondestructive nature, its ability to detect even trace amounts of pesticides, and its minimal requirement for sample preparation. While acknowledging the maturity and robustness of these techniques, our review underscores the importance of persistent innovation. These methodologies' significance extends beyond their present functions, highlighting their adaptability to meet ever-evolving challenges. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1468-1484. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Innovation Persistence and Firm Growth: Do They Go Hand in Hand?

AbstractThis study empirically examines the relationship between persistence in innovation and firm growth in Spanish manufacturing firms during the period 2005–2016. We include a number of input and output indicators for innovation persistence (R&D, product and process innovation, and patent filings) and use the changes in firms’ annual sales as a measure of firm growth. Differences in how innovation persistence affects firm growth are also explored for the subsets of small and large firms. We employ conditioned quantile regression (CQR) models to see how innovation persistence affects firms located at different quantiles of the firm growth distribution and unconditional quantile regression (UQR) which allow us to compare similar firms in terms of their propensity to innovate on a persistent basis. Our findings are sensitive to the choice of econometric approach. Overall, results indicate that the type of innovation persistence does influence growth. Persistence in R&D activities does not play any relevant role whereas persistence in innovation outputs (product, process, and patents) is a driver for growth only in firms with medium-to-low sales growth rates.

Enhancing firms’ innovation persistence in the circular economy through government-supported green supply chain demonstrations: cost leadership or differentiation?

ABSTRACT Government support is pivotal in guiding firms towards adopting green supply chain (GSC) practices aligned with the circular economy. Our study addressed this critical issue through a quasi-natural experiment of GSC demonstration in China. We conducted a difference-in-differences estimation to assess the variation in the persistent innovation capabilities between the treatment and control groups. The results indicate that the GSC demonstration, as an external policy change, stimulated the development of firms’ persistent innovation capabilities. These capabilities have positive effects on both innovation input and output dimensions. Additionally, we explored the interaction between firms’ competitive strategies and government support. Findings indicate that differentiation strategies have a stronger positive impact on innovation persistence, while cost leadership strategies weaken this link. These results emphasize the government's critical role in fostering GSC adoption, offering implications for effective government-business collaboration towards a circular economy and sustainable planning across social, environmental, and technological innovation factors.

Firm size relationship with persistent innovation and employment growth: evidence from an emerging economy

PurposePrevious evidence has shown a generally positive relationship between continuously developed innovation, known as innovation persistence and employment growth in firms. This study investigates whether firm size moderates this relationship and how, considering persistent product and process innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors studied the influence of firm size on the relationship between innovation persistence and employment using a 10-year panel database of firms based on national innovation surveys. The authors consider firm size as sales and measure innovation persistence through the hazard rate of innovation spells. To assess the main model, they use a system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator.FindingsThe authors' main findings indicate that firm size negatively moderates the relationship between persistent innovation and employment growth. These results suggest that the positive effects of product and process persistent innovation on employment growth decrease as firm size increases. The authors also find evidence indicating that the moderator role of firm size is greater when firms innovate more persistently. Robustness tests with different specifications confirm the results.Originality/valueThe authors show that firm size negatively affects the strength of the relationship between innovation persistence and employment growth in product and process innovations. The authors also show that the moderator role of firm size is greater when firms are more persistent in generating product and process innovation. Additionally, using a panel dataset, they provide evidence from a sample of firms in a developing country where no studies on this matter have previously been conducted.

Enterprise digital transformation, COVID-19 and innovation persistence: evidence from China

ABSTRACT This study investigates the detrimental influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the corporate innovation persistence and explores the mitigating effect of digital transformation by using Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2021. We find that the COVID-19 pandemic engenders a reduction in the corporate innovation persistence. However, a higher degree of digital transformation effectively alleviates this effect through three mechanisms: alleviating financial constraints, maintaining business stability, and improving investment efficiency. Our findings contribute to the literature concerning the relationship between digital transformation and corporate innovation, and provide micro-level evidence of the digital transformation of enterprises to mitigate public emergencies.

The impact of government subsidies on the persistence of firm innovation: evidence from China

ABSTRACT How the government subsidies will change the performance of firm’s innovative projects has long been debated. We attempt to narrow this gap from a dynamic perspective by employing Chinese A-share listed firms as a sample. Based on the novel innovation index, we studied the impact of government subsidies on the persistence of firm innovation. Findings show that total government subsidies promote the persistence of overall firm innovation. However, when we divided the total government subsidies into technological subsidies and non-technological subsidies, we found that technological subsidies cast an inhibitory effect on the persistence of self-sustaining firm innovation. In further analysis, we discover that ‘self-sustaining firm innovation investment replacement’ phenomenon can explain the crowding-out effect of technological subsidies on self-sustaining firm innovation persistence. Based on empirical evidence, we also observed that the substitution of private innovation investment by technological subsidies may result in management costs. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for further enhancing the effectiveness of government subsidy policies.

How to promote open innovation in restricted situations? Digital transformation perspective

PurposeIn the context of innovation-driven development strategy, open innovation has become an important way for enterprises to gain competitive advantages on the path of innovation and development. However, with the increasing competition, enterprises' open innovation is restricted by some constraints. How to promote open innovation in the restricted situations has become an existing research gap. Based on the perspective of digital transformation, this paper discusses how to promote the open innovation of enterprises under the restricted situations and find its breakthrough path, and analyzes the moderating effect of innovation persistence and political relevance.Design/methodology/approachDue to the complexity and confidentiality of military–civilian integration enterprises, they have become typical innovation-restricted enterprises. In this study, it selects a-share listed companies in the field of military–civilian integration in China in 2016–2020 as the research sample, and uses the two-way fixed-effect model to analyze the proposed variables. Finally, the robustness of the results in this paper is verified by a series of robustness tests and endogeneity tests.FindingsThe results show that digital transformation facilitates open innovation in military–civil integration enterprises, and that innovation persistence and political relevance positively moderate the relationship between the two. Further, digital transformation can promote open innovation in military–civil integration enterprises by easing the financing constraints and reducing information asymmetry. Innovation persistence has a more pronounced positive moderating effect among civilian-to-military and SMEs, and digital transformation of firms in the South has a negative effect on open innovation, but innovation persistence and political relevance dampen this negative effect.Originality/valuePrevious studies on the restrictions of open innovation or its dark side are mostly case studies and qualitative research. In contrast, the superiority and novelty of this study is in the form of a typical innovation-restricted enterprises “civil-military integration enterprise” as the research sample, based on the perspective of digital transformation, through empirical analysis method to explore how to better implementation of open innovation in the restricted situations. The findings of the study can not only enrich the application of digital transformation and open innovation theory, but also provide practical guidance for military–civil integration innovation in restricted situations.

Value Disciplines and Competitive Advantage of Commercial Banks in Kenya

Purpose: The building of sustained competitive advantage is seen as a vital characteristic in ensuring competitiveness. To effectively operate in such a dynamic and competitive market, a corporation must implement a competitive strategy that optimizes the value of stakeholders. However, due to increased competition, the Kenyan banking system has had erratic performance in recent years. As a result, the major question is whether Kenyan commercial banks can use value discipline to help them maintain their competitiveness. That is, how can value discipline translates into a competitive advantage among Kenyan commercial banks? The study aims to investigate the function of value discipline in competitive advantage: a taxonomy of Kenyan commercial banks.
 Methodology: This was aided by a descriptive cross-sectional analysis methodology. The study comprised businesses rendering commercial banking services in Kenya. A non-probability method of sampling was utilized. Structured questionnaires were used as applicable. The study targeted all 42 Kenyan commercial banks/lenders. The 42 commercial bank managers were targeted as the unit of observation and the 42 commercial banks as the unit of analysis. Since the population in the current study was small but adequate for study research, that is, 42, the study used a census survey (thus no sampling was done) and thus the targeted population were still the commercial banks. Questionnaires were the instruments of data collection. The replies were transcribed and qualitative methodology was employed. The SPSS application was used to help with this analysis (v.25.0). Descriptive analytics gathered summary data such as averages, and frequencies, whereas inferential metrics aided in determining the causative link between parameters. The study used the R2s, F values, and beta coefficients at 0.05 significance thresholds. Charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, and illustrations were used to present the findings.
 Findings: The findings indicated that operational excellence has a directional/positive and statistically significant connection with competitive advantage of Kenyan commercial banks/lenders (β=0.342, p=0.000). It was also confirmed that customer intimacy has a directional/positive and statistically significant connection with competitive advantage of Kenyan commercial banks/lenders (β=0.247, p=0.000). Likewise, product leadership has a directional/positive and statistically significant connection with competitive advantage of Kenyan commercial banks/lenders (β=0.359, p=0.000).
 Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: It has been recommended that having a high level of consumer awareness might lead to increased client satisfaction, which leads to increased buy back desire. Thus, recommendations are emphasized on the need for banking institutions to improve awareness and participation of customers in their operations to improve loyalty and satisfaction. The also recommends continuous and persistent innovation of products to help in the advancement and maintaining a competitive edge in the industry. Having superior products imply that the banks are able to maintain and attract a specific group of customers whom to the banks, ensure consistent sales and returns. The study also suggests to the operations management to continuously improve the financial institution delivery of services, consumer experience, purchase price and effectiveness, a considerable increase in income and profitability, and gives banks competitiveness. Sustainable distribution chain effectiveness is affected by learning and innovation efficiency, and supply chain intellectual capital plays an essential moderating function

Learning by exporting: A system‐based review and research agenda

AbstractOver the past four decades, flourishing empirical research has attempted to establish the mechanisms and conditions underpinning improvements in exporters’ innovation and productivity via the learning‐by‐exporting (LBE) effect, and the domain has gained legitimacy and empirical credibility. However, the literature's findings are largely fragmented and require systematic review and analysis to draw definitive conclusions on the factors that influence the subsequent realization of learning from exporting. To fill this void, we critically examine the extant LBE research for the period 1984–2021. We systematically review 167 articles to develop a system‐based taxonomy and conceptual model of LBE, which comprises five major components: system outputs (productivity and innovation), inputs (e.g., institutional factors and resources), firm‐level capabilities (e.g., absorptive capacity and innovation persistence), managerial characteristics (e.g., entrepreneurship skills) and internationalization strategies. In doing so, we uncover paradoxical tensions within the system brought about by the conflicting roles of some components of the LBE system, such as firm‐, industry‐ and country‐level technological capabilities. Our review also reveals research gaps that open relevant opportunities for further research and conclusions that hold novel implications for managers and policymakers.

Export and variability in the innovative status

The nature of innovation persistence is still open to debate. In this paper, we attempt to shed some light to the topic by providing a novel analysis of the impact of exporting strategies on changes in innovative status. We derive exhaustive information regarding the innovative behavior of firms using a large sample extracted from the Spanish Technological Innovation Panel. Applying both a multinomial and a random-effects probabilistic approach, we observe that exporting experience is relevant to guarantee stability in innovation activities. However, firms exporting only to the EU are comparatively less persistent than those with a broader geographical range, as nearer and safer markets provide less incentives to innovation activities than engaging in broader commercial ventures.

COVID-19 as a trigger of persistent innovations: Evidence from an economics elective at Claremont McKenna College

The COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary for instructors to innovate, and some of the innovations will persist and be refined post-pandemic. An economics elective at Claremont McKenna College provides examples. Innovations likely to persist include replacing in-class exams with context-rich assignments and conducting a set of student presentations and an initial Q&A using recordings posted online. Both innovations advance the learning objectives, and they also free up class time, which permits additional innovations.

Global comparison of regulatory guidelines for personalized medical devices and identification of lacunae: Learning for Indian medical device ecosystem

Persistent innovation and technological advancements have popularized personalized devices in healthcare that are designed/ manufactured to meet the unique needs of individual patients. However, this rapid growth has raised concerns about the safety and quality of these devices entailing suitable and adaptable regulatory requirements. Although most countries across the globe have either implemented or are in process of doing so in near future, India still lags behind and the existing lacunae needs to be identified for enabling the medical device ecosystem to be in harmony with other countries. In this article, we aim to discuss the current state of the customized implant industry in India and the key lessons that can be learned directing towards opportunities for change to ensure its sustainable growth and development. Literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar following PRISMA guidelines using relevant search terms ‘medical device’ AND ‘regulation’ AND ‘Personalized Medical Devices’ AND ‘Custom made Devices’ OR ‘regulatory bodies’ yielded 36 articles. Only english language articles in journals and relevant data from authentic government portals available online was considered. The diverse regulatory framework across globe is witnessing persistent amendments since two decades. Accelerated use of personalized devices necessitates a proper streamlined regulatory framework providing clear definition and categorization of personalized device possessing single window clearance system, cost transparency, accredited laboratories, use of device identification systems, adequate post insertion record/ feedback database maintenance alongwith trained/ skilled workforce being assessed routinely.

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF AI APPLICATIONS IN FINANCE FOR ACCELERATING CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION

The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced transformative possibilities across various sectors, with green finance emerging as a significant beneficiary. This study meticulously investigated the integration and implications of AI within the realm of green finance, aiming to elucidate its potential in catalyzing the global transition to sustainable energy. The research sought to comprehend AI’s trajectory in financial ecosystems, its contemporary financial ramifications, and its pivotal role in advancing clean energy financial mechanisms. Through a comprehensive exploration employing advanced analytical models, AI-driven financial projections, and collaborative initiatives between AI and renewable firms, the findings underscored AI’s unparalleled capabilities in forecasting, risk assessment, and the design of innovative financial instruments. AI-powered tools have proven instrumental in ensuring adherence to green regulations, thereby facilitating sustainable investment bonds. The study concluded that AI’s integration into green finance signifies a paradigmatic shift, redefining the methodologies of funding, evaluating, and executing renewable energy projects. Its potential is vast, heralding a future replete with innovative solutions and profound insights. Recommendations emphasize collaborations between renewable energy stakeholders and AI experts, advocate for standardized green finance metrics, and promote AI-informed governmental policies. Continuous research and stakeholder education are paramount for AI’s widespread acceptance in green finance. The confluence of AI and green finance promises a sustainable future, contingent upon strategic foresight and persistent innovation.

Green supply chain management and innovation persistence–Based on environmental turbulence perspective

PurposeIn recent years, environmental issues and resource depletion have posed significant challenges to firms and society. To address these environmental challenges, firms seek to build strategic alliances of green supply chain management (GSCM) with their supply chain partner. As the largest developing country in the Asia–Pacific region, China needs to take more responsibility for environmental protection, which requires more Chinese firms to participate in GSCM. Therefore, focusing on the issue of GSCM and innovation persistence in the context of an increasingly harsh ecological environment is essential.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypothesis, the authors perform an empirical analysis on a sample of 124 listed firms in China from 2014 to 2019. The results are robust to a battery of robustness analyses the authors performed to take care of endogeneity.FindingsEmpirical results indicate that GSCM can promote innovation persistence and both market environment turbulence and technology environment turbulence have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between the two. Mechanism tests show that GSCM can improve innovation efficiency, ensure innovation quality and alleviate financing constraints, thus promoting the innovation persistence of firms.Originality/valueThis study can provide a theoretical basis for the country to promote GSCM orientation, raise firms' awareness of the value of GSCM, convey the significance of GSCM to investors, influence firms' investment decisions and give experience to other developing countries.

Spatial convergence clubs and innovation persistence: a country-group comparison of international spatial spillover of innovation capabilities

Spatial convergence clubs and innovation persistence: a country-group comparison of international spatial spillover of innovation capabilities

Employment, Firm Size, and Persistent Innovation: Evidence from an Emerging Economy

The relationship between innovation and employment dynamics of firms has been an appealing topic to researchers and policymakers during the last decades. In that context, this paper investigates the impact of innovation persistence on firms’ employment. Following the approach of Bianchini & Pellegrino (2019), we analyze how innovation persistence is related to employment growth rates and employment growth sustainability in an emerging market country like Chile. We also study the moderator effect that firm size has on the relationship between innovation persistence and employment. For our empirical analysis, we use survival analysis and a GMM estimator for assessing this relationship in a 10-year panel database of firms based on innovation surveys, measuring innovation persistence through the hazard rate of innovation spells. Our results show that innovation persistence is positively related to employment and that firm size plays a negative moderating role in the relationship between persistent innovation and both employment growth rates and employment growth sustainability.

A Systematic Review and Agenda for Learning-By-Exporting Research

Over the past four decades, flourishing empirical research has attempted to establish the mechanisms and conditions underpinning improvements in exporters’ innovation and productivity via the learning-by-exporting (LBE) effect, and the domain has gained legitimacy and empirical credibility. However, the literature’s findings are largely fragmented and require systematic review and analysis to draw definitive conclusions on the factors that influence the subsequent realization of learning from exporting. To fill this void, we critically examine the extant LBE research for the period 1984–2021. We systematically review 167 articles to develop a system-based taxonomy and conceptual model of LBE, which comprises five major components: system outputs (productivity and innovation), inputs (e.g., institutional factors and resources), firm-level capabilities (e.g., absorptive capacity and innovation persistence), managerial competencies (e.g., entrepreneurship skills), and strategic internationalization decisions. In doing so, we uncover paradoxical tensions within the system brought about by the conflicting roles of some components of the LBE system, such as firm-, industry-, and country-level technological capabilities. Our review also reveals research gaps that open relevant opportunities for further research and conclusions that hold novel implications for managers and policymakers.

Inside Persistent Strategic Renewal: A Process Study of Structural Ambidexterity

This article shows how repeated separations and reintegrations of ambidextrous innovation units becomes a mechanism for persistent strategic renewal of an established firm. A process model is developed showing distinct stages in the ambidextrous process and the different dynamic capabilities occurring at each stage. Learning and improvement after each successive cycle of the ambidextrous process is also illustrated, as well as cross-unit linking mechanisms. I draw on a 25 year retrospective longitudinal analysis of an embedded-case study of three historical ambidextrous units within the same firm. The findings contribute to extant research by developing a link between structural ambidexterity, dynamic capabilities, strategic renewal, and persistent innovation through an in-depth process model.