Sources Of Information For Innovation Research Articles

Tools for causal inference from cross-sectional innovation surveys with continuous or discrete variables: Theory and applications

This paper presents a new statistical toolkit by applying three techniques for data-driven causal inference from the machine learning community that are little-known among economists and innovation scholars: a conditional independence-based approach, additive noise models, and non-algorithmic inference by hand. We include three applications to CIS data to investigate public funding schemes for R&D investment, information sources for innovation, and innovation expenditures and firm growth. Preliminary results provide causal interpretations of some previously-observed correlations. Our statistical 'toolkit' could be a useful complement to existing techniques.

The R&D knowledge base in city-agglomerations and knowledge searching in product innovative SMEs

ABSTRACTThis paper looks at the relation between the R&D knowledge base of city-agglomerations and knowledge sourcing in product innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The small open Belgian economy is used as a test case. The characteristics of the city-agglomeration’s R&D knowledge are posited to be instrumental for SMEs’ reliance on particular sources of information for innovation. The R&D knowledge base is studied as a multidimensional concept consisting of R&D capacity, R&D specialization and R&D diversification. A representative sample of product innovative SMEs drawn from two waves of the Community Innovation Survey between 2008 and 2012 reveals that a strong R&D capacity at city-agglomeration level favours private external information sources for innovation, but has no influence on the likelihood to rely on public sources for innovation. Accordance between specialization of the private R&D knowledge base and the SME’s activities positively influences the use of clients as information sources for innovation, whereas under these circumstances supplier responsiveness turns out to be less frequently solicited for. A more diversified private R&D environment reduces the reliance on universities and public research organizations as information sources for innovation. A public R&D knowledge base specialized in natural sciences or engineering favours information sources from universities.

Sources of information for innovation: the role of companies’ motivations

The paper analyses the information sources that companies use to innovate. The analysis compares two science-oriented sources of information (universities and public research institutes) with two market-oriented sources (clients and suppliers). The analysis demonstrates the importance of motivations as determinants of the sources of information used. Adding motivations to the established ‘structural’ explanations provides a new way of capturing companies’ search for information and emphasises the direction rather than the breadth of the search process. The results of this analysis also have implications both for policy-making and for companies’ managers, which are discussed in the paper’s conclusions.

Interorganisational social capital and innovation: a multiple case study in wine producers networks in Serra Gaúcha

The social capital issue is related, in the organisational context, to the creation of competitive advantages for companies, starting with the assumption that economic variables are not adequate for social development and building a sustainable environment. In addition, the social capital has become a competitive resource, since it can enhance the individual and collective capacity based on collaborative practices. Also, it may become a source of improvement or maintenance of the competitiveness in member organisations in networks. At the same time, the significance of the innovation process for organisational competitiveness is a well known fact, while the same does not occur independently and is influenced by several factors. In this sense, this study is aimed primarily at checking whether the social capital and competitiveness factors have an impact on the innovation of companies linked to networks. Therefore, making use of self-administered questionnaires as data-collection technique, a descriptive and quantitative study was conducted. To analyse the results, analysis of variance and linear regression were used. The main results illustrate the differences between sources of information for innovation in these networks. In addition, the study results confirm that social capital has influence on the dimensions for the improvement of competitiveness and these dimensions, in turn, influence some types of innovation.

Determinants of internal and external R&D offshoring: evidence from Spanish firms

This paper analyses the determinants of R&D offshoring of Spanish firms using information from the Panel of Technological Innovation. We find that being an exporter, international technological cooperation, continuous R&D engagement, applying for patents, being a foreign subsidiary, and firm size are factors that positively affect the decision to offshore R&D. In addition, we find that a lack of financing is an obstacle relatively more important for independent firms than for firms that belong to business groups. For these latter, we also obtain that the factors that influence the decision to offshore R&D differ depending on whether the firm purchases the R&D services within the group or through the market: a higher degree of importance assigned to internal sources of information for innovation as compared to market sources increases (decreases) the probability of R&D offshoring only through the group (market).

Innovation performance in service companies and KIBS vis-à-vis manufacturing: the relevance of absorptive capacity and openness

Purpose – Th e present paper adds to the most recent current of literature that highlights the importance of innovation in services, analyzing a setting – Portugal – which is relatively backward in terms of innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a sample of 4128 companies (including 1489 service companies) that answered the Community Innovation Survey 2008, we assessed, by resorting to logistic regressions, the determinants of innovation performance in Portuguese companies. Findings – 1) Workers who have the 1st cycle of higher education have a positive and signifi cant impact on the innovation of service companies whereas PhDs are detrimental to companies’ innovative performance; 2) Companies in the service sector in general, and in KIBS in particular, that eff ectively invest in external and (continuous) internal RD 3) External scientifi c sources of information for innovation are crucial (and much more than in manufacturing) to the innovation performance of service companies, especially of KIBS; 4) Similarly to manufacturing, participation in innovation activities in cooperation with foreign partners appears as a key factor in the innovative performance of service companies. Originality/value – The study demonstrates the influence of companies’ openness and the relative importance attributed to diff erent sources of information for innovation on innovation outcomes of service companies (and KIBS) compared to manufacturing industries.

Determinants of Internal versus External R&D Offshoring: Evidence from Spanish Firms

This paper analyzes the determinants of R&D offshoring of Spanish firms using information from the Panel of Technological Innovation. We find that being an exporter, continuous R&D engagement, applying for patents, being a subsidiary, and firm size are factors that positively affect the decision to offshore R&D. In addition, we obtain that the factors that influence this decision for firms that belong to a business group differ depending on whether the firm purchases R&D services within the group or through the market: the lack of information is an obstacle relatively less important for internal R&D offshoring than for external R&D offshoring, while a higher degree of importance assigned to institutional and market sources of information for innovation as compared to internal sources increases the probability of R&D offshoring through the market.

Innovation infrastructure for techonlogy transfer and difusion in Serbia

The research presented in this paper shows that for successful development of the innovative enterprises in Serbia, collaboration with all innovation stakeholders is needed. It points out the importance of effective technology transfer as a factor of economic and technological development in Serbia. Based on data of empirical research on innovation activities in enterprises in Serbia in the period 2008-2010, conducted by the Republic Statistical Office, the usage of the various sources of information for innovation is explored. Some innovation infrastructure forms in Serbia are presented as tools with function of research results commercialization. The Enterprise Europe Network is listed as an international incentive mechanism for technology transfer in Serbia.

Gestão das fontes externas de informação: uma análise dos fatores que influenciam o desempenho inovador

O estudo propõe-se a compreender o processo de gestão de fontes externas de informação tecnológica, focalizando as práticas adotadas pelas empresas, visando construir um referencial teórico-prático para o desenvolvimento de um processo de inovação tecnológica sustentável. A gestão de fontes de informação não ajuda somente a organização a combinar as fontes de informação internas e externas a serem consideradas, mas também a ampliar as suas atividades de inovação. As empresas estão incrementando as alianças para o uso de fontes externas de informação para inovação, porém ainda carecem de uma estratégia explícita de gestão. A pesquisa survey foi realizada em empresas industriais brasileiras com características inovadoras visando contribuir para as inferências sobre a relação da gestão de fontes externas de informação tecnológica e o desempenho inovador das empresas. A hipótese formulada buscou verificar a existência de associação entre a gestão de fontes externas de informação tecnológica e o desempenho inovador. Para a comprovação da hipótese, foram realizadas análises bivariadas e univariadas por meio da utilização das técnicas estatísticas de análise fatorial, correlação de Spearman e regressão logística. As análises bivariadas e multivariadas das variáveis independentes e dependentes sugerem a existência de associação entre a gestão de fontes externas de informação tecnológica e o desempenho inovador destacando-se a influência do tipo de fonte de informação nos indicadores relativos à inovação em produtos e do tipo de modalidade de acesso à tecnologia nos indicadores relacionados à inovação em processos.

Las patentes como fuente de información para la innovación en entornos competitivos

Bibliographical review on patents as a source of information for innovation in competitive environments, as well as a description of the advantages and limitations of their use as a source of information. The possible applications in the technical, scientific, commercial and legal fields are indentified and classified. It refers to the work of the librarian related to the patents because its treatment requires knowledge of the profession. It is concluded that patents should be considered invaluable source of relevant information for competitiveness in organizations. However, their use has not been promoted accurately in developing countries like ours. This tendency should be corrected in order to make use of this resource for the development and innovation of our region. It covers the material published from 1977 until September, 2009, of Latin America and Spain.

Technological Innovation Sources and Institutional Supports for Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria

The study examined the technological innovation sources, the relevance of these sources as well as institutional supports and their significance to the innovativeness of small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Southwestern Nigeria. The data for the study were collected through questionnaire and interview schedule from a sample of 100 manufacturing SMEs. The results reveal that the key information sources for innovation among these companies are customers; suppliers of equipment and machinery; seminars, training and conferences; market research and business associations. None of the external inputs that the companies needed for internal learning and innovation come from government agencies. The results suggest the urgent need for enterprise-oriented technology transfer from public funded R&D institutions to link the science and technology system with small and medium enterprises production units. Similarly, the SMEs associations should be strengthened to provide opportunities for their members to continuously learn about new technology developments and opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises in the sector.

Indicadores e características da gestão de fontes externas de informação tecnológica e do desempenho inovador de empresas brasileiras

O estudo constitui parte de uma pesquisa maior, que procurou analisar a relação de algumas práticas de gestão de fontes externas da informação tecnológica com o desempenho inovador da empresa. No presente artigo são apresentadas as principais praticas para a gestão de fontes externas de informação tecnológica e os principais indicadores de desempenho inovador. A amostra foi composta por empresas do setor industrial que são associadas à ANPEI ou/e integrantes do cadastro do PGT/USP. A amostra contém 72 empresas (38% do universo da pesquisa). Os resultados evidenciaram que a maioria das empresas é de grande porte e de setores tecnologicamente sofisticados. As principais modalidades de acesso às informações tecnológicas são: a aquisição por compra de tecnologia, a parceria com fornecedores, a aproximação com as universidades e a contratação de consultores. As principais fontes de informação são: Departamento de P&D, Outros Departamentos, os Fornecedores, as Feiras e Exibições, as Universidades, Clientes, Network e os Institutos de Pesquisa. Os principais indicadores de desempenho inovador utilizados estão relacionados a produtos e/ou processos. Finalmente, a pesquisa sugere que o processo da gestão de fontes externas de informação para inovação tecnológica é pouco formalizado e carece de uma perspectiva estratégica.

An empirical investigation of innovation determinants in food machinery enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the main findings of an empirical study conducted in the Italian food machinery industry, on identifying the technological innovation determinants in small or medium enterprises.Design/methodology/approach – On the basis of a research framework, a study was carried out on 98 Italian firms operating in the food machinery industry, by means of a questionnaire survey. A statistical analysis was conducted on the data collected, in order to understand which are the most important factors influencing innovation and the relative effect on the innovation output of the various factors considered.Findings – The results of the statistical analysis conducted show that, in contrast with the trend of the industry investigated, great importance is attributed only to collaboration with universities and research centres. Network actors are not perceived as an important source of information for innovation, while universities, conferences and scientific papers are significa...

Factors related to innovative output in the Dutch agrifood industry

The present study assessed the factors related to innovative output in the Dutch agrifood industry, a scale-intensive, supplierdominated industry. We concentrated on explanatory variables related to cooperation, information sources, innovation objectives, obstacles to innovation, and innovation resources. Firm-level data were used from the Dutch section of the 2001 Community Innovation Survey (CIS, N=328). We conducted linear and binary logistic regression to analyse the data. The results show that in order to be successful in product innovation, firms must have a strong market orientation. Furthermore, we found that in order to become (more) innovative, firms must have organisational conditions in place, as organisational obstacles are associated with lower levels of innovative output. Innovation subsidies turn out to have a positive effect on both product and process innovations. With respect to the value of a focal firm's network, the surprising conclusion can be drawn that the network is not perceived as crucial for innovation: cooperation is not a factor that explains innovative output; and network actors are - only to a limited extent - perceived as important sources of information for innovation. Competitors as an important source of information explain the share of the total turnover from new or improved products, whereas suppliers are an important information source for process innovators. In summary, innovative agrifood firms do not rely strongly on external sources, contrary to expectations for supplier-dominated firms. Instead, Dutch innovative agrifood firms more strongly reflect the characteristics of scale-intensive firms.

The role of codified sources of knowledge in innovation: Empirical evidence from Dutch manufacturing

This paper explores ongoing debates about the role that codified forms of knowledge play in fostering innovative behaviour. It aims to provide an empirical exploration of the use of codified sources of information for innovation at the firm and sectoral level. Despite considerable interest in David and Foray’s (1995) work on the codification of knowledge and the changing nature of innovation due to the use of information and communication technologies, there are relatively few empirical studies that probe the role of codified sources of information in the innovation process. Our goal is to assess how important codified sources of information are for innovation among different firms and sectors. We find that use of codified sources of knowledge is highly concentrated in high technology sectors and among firms with existing absorptive capacity. The analysis shows that the use of other sources of information for innovation is a strong predictor of a firm’s use of codified sources. The data used for the analysis is based on The Netherlands Community Innovation Survey (II) for the manufacturing sector and covers over 2001 firms in 11 industries.

Technological Innovation in Brazilian Industry: An Assessment Based on the São Paulo Innovation Survey

This article presents results of the technological innovation section of the PAEP survey, which is a large sample survey of firms in the most industrialized Brazilian federate State. The first PAEP collected data in 1997, referring to 1996, in more than 10,000 industrial firms. Innovation questions followed the OECD guidelines. The article starts with a methodological summary. It shows that the rate of innovation output in São Paulo—that is the share of innovative firms—revealed a considerably extensive adoption of technologically new or improved products and/or processes in the period 1994/1996. The innovative performance of São Paulo industrial firms is examined for distinct firm groups, taking into account firm size, the origin of capital ownership (national vs. transnational firms) and industrial sector. The article reveals that the distance between São Paulo industrial firms and their counterpart in industrialized countries is even more substantial in terms of R&D activities. The findings about the sources of information for innovation and their motivation for innovation reinforce the features of the pattern of innovation presented in the article, that is, there has been quite substantial innovation but little knowledge in the innovation process of the industry of São Paulo.

Multinationals and the Canadian Innovation Process

This paper examines whether new views of the multinational that see these firms as decentralizing research and development (RD the type of RD the importance of RD whether the use of these other ideas indicates that multinationals are closely tied into local innovation networks; the intensity of innovation; and the use that is made of intellectual property rights to protect innovations from being copied by others. We find that, far from being passively dependent on R&D from their parents, foreign-owned firms in Canada are more active in R&D than the population of Canadian-owned firms. They are also more often involved in R&D collaboration projects both abroad and in Canada. As expected, foreign subsidiaries enjoy the advantage of accessing technology from their parent and sister companies. While multinationals are more closely tied into a network of related firms for innovative ideas than are domestically owned firms, their local R&D unit is a more important source of information for innovation than are these inter-firm links. Surprisingly, foreign subsidiaries also more frequently report that they are using technology from unrelated firms. Moreover, the multinational is just as likely to develop links into a local university and other local innovation consortia as are domestically owned firms. This evidence indicates that multinationals in Canada are not, on the whole, operating subsidiaries whose scientific development capabilities are truncated - at least not in comparison to domestically owned firms. A comparison of the extent and impact of innovation activity of domestically and foreign-owned firms shows that foreign-owned firms innovate in all sectors more frequently than Canadian-owned companies in almost all size categories. They are also more likely to introduce world-first rather than more imitative innovations. Their superiority is most pronounced in the consumer goods sector. Finally, foreign-owned firms are more likely to protect their innovations with patent protection. The paper also compares foreign subsidiaries to Canadian corporations that have an international orientation. These additional comparisons show that the two groups of multinationals are quite similar, both with regards to the likelihood that they conduct some form of R&D and that they introduce innovations. These results indicate that it is as much the degree of globalization that the nationality of ownership that affects the degree of innovativeness. Overall, the survey results suggest that foreign-owned firms make a significant contribution to technological progress and innovation

Interindustry flows of technology: an analysis of the Canadian patent matrix and input-output matrix for 1978–1989

Abstract The author suggests that innovatory development for one industry may have much wider applications in other industries, not necessarily related to the industry for which the innovation was developed. The mapping of interindustry flows of new technology greatly assists our understanding of technological change and its resultant economic impact. Policy decisions with regard to the funding of research and development are of importance once it is realized that the decisions may not be based on the industry which gains the most benefit from the innovation. The objectives of the paper are twofold: 1. To develop a model of interindustry technology flows based on Canadian industry between 1978 and 1989; to identify both sources and users of new technology and to examine their evolution over time. 2. To explore whether or not the rate of change in technology flows can be correlated with the rate of change in input-output flows of goods. Taking into account the interindustry flows increases our understanding of the sources of information for innovation and its diffusion, and also the effects of technological change on productivity. The author finally explores the relationship between changes over time in the technology matrix and the input-output matrix which includes an empirical test. It is suggested that the wealth of information from technology flow matrices indicates that these could become an important analytical tool for the study of technological change.

Interindustry flows of technology: an analysis of the Canadian patent matrix and input-output matrix for 1978–1989

The author suggests that innovatory development for one industry may have much wider applications in other industries, not necessarily related to the industry for which the innovation was developed. The mapping of interindustry flows of new technology greatly assists our understanding of technological change and its resultant economic impact. Policy decisions with regard to the funding of research and development are of importance once it is realized that the decisions may not be based on the industry which gains the most benefit from the innovation. The objectives of the paper are twofold: 1. To develop a model of interindustry technology flows based on Canadian industry between 1978 and 1989; to identify both sources and users of new technology and to examine their evolution over time. 2. To explore whether or not the rate of change in technology flows can be correlated with the rate of change in input-output flows of goods. Taking into account the interindustry flows increases our understanding of the sources of information for innovation and its diffusion, and also the effects of technological change on productivity. The author finally explores the relationship between changes over time in the technology matrix and the input-output matrix which includes an empirical test. It is suggested that the wealth of information from technology flow matrices indicates that these could become an important analytical tool for the study of technological change.