In this study, the relationship between the use of collaborative agreements and the firm's innovation output is examined. Firms may innovate using partnerships linked to a "science and technology-based" (STI) mode of learning, as well as partnerships linked to a "learning-by-doing, by-using and by-interacting-based' (DUI) mode of learning. Within this view, universities are important STI partners that provide flows of science and technology driven knowledge leading to innovation. A fixed-effects logit estimation is applied on an extensive panel of Spanish manufacturing and service firms to analyze the separate and combined impact of collaborative agreements associated to STI and/or DUI modes of learning, with a special emphasis on the role of partnerships with universities. Even though STI and DUI partnerships are both important for product and process innovations, the results demonstrate that different types of collaboration are related to different types of innovation. While product innovation benefits more from the combination of DUI and STI partnerships, process innovation is more closely related to DUI partnerships. Apart from that, collaborations with universities, in combination with DUI partners, leads to a higher likelihood of product innovation. In contrast, process innovations are less dependent on collaborations with universities than on collaborations with other STI partners.
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Abstract:This paper explores the evaluation of cluster policies designed to support cooperation and networking. We examine the case of the long-running Basque policy, where support is provided for 'cluster associations'. We first examine empirically the effects of the cluster associations on firm productivity performance, alongside other variables including agglomeration and firm behavioural characteristics. The results provide some weak evidence for the existence of additionality associated with the policy. We complement this empirical work with context-specific knowledge of the policy in question to show that the nesting of both empirical and contextual approaches is crucial for effectively evaluating such policies.
In this paper we analyse the relationship between governance and learning in clusters and networks. In particular, we see these two key-elements as interdependent, suggesting that, under particular circumstances, that interdependence may drive clusters and networks towards a dynamic development trajectory. A pure "governance perspective" makes the development of any locality dependent on the system of powers that exists within the locality or across the global value chain. In parallel, a pure "competence-based approach" focuses mainly on the capabilities of actors to learn and undertake activities. In contrast, we open the prospects for an interdependent relation that may change the actual competences of actors as well as the governance settings and dynamics in networks and clusters. When supported by public policies, the learning process may have the potential to modify the governance environment. Simultaneously, the learning process is intrinsically influenced by economic power, which may seriously affect the development prospects of clusters and networks. This is why an intertwined consideration of both aspects is necessary to promote specific approaches to learning and to design appropriate policies. In this paper we offer two preliminary case studies to clarify some of these dynamics: the first taken from the computers cluster in Costa Rica and the second from an Italian biopharmaceutical firm and its production network. The first case study refers to the software cluster that was created from scratch in Costa Rica thanks to an enlightened government policy in coordination with new local enterprises and important foreign direct investor, while the second reflects on the ability of an individual company to create a network of relationships with large transnational companies in order to acquire new competences without falling into a subordinate position with respect to its larger partners.
Highlights
A cross-country analysis of business innovation modes using CIS-Eurostat 2014 regional data.
Comprehensive investigation of internal and external DUI and STI drivers.
Empirical results confirm regional variations in the impact of innovation modes on innovation outputs.
Our findings also support the hypothesis of technological nuances of innovation; in particular DUI drivers are very important for most types of innovation output.
Specific policy actions are required to support the effective use of DUI (and STI) innovation modes and drivers across European regions.
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