Innovation capabilities and performance of biotechnology firms

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to provide empirical evidence regarding the relationship between different capabilities and innovation performances in the biotechnology sector, in the case of Mexico. Design/methodology/approach Given the aforementioned objective, this paper constructs different indicators on types of capabilities and innovative performances and, based on them, performs an econometric analysis based on a logit model. The work assumes the central assumptions of the firm's evolutionary theory and, in this sense, seeks to provide quantitative empirical evidence that explains the way in which the construction of different types of capacities determines the innovation results of Mexican firms in the biotechnology sector. Findings Corroborating the previous empirical evidence in analysis of firm’s capabilities in the biotechnology sector, this work empirically states that productive, absorption, technological and innovative capabilities positively influence the innovative performance of Mexican biotechnology firms. Originality/value This work examines a central theme linked to the current analysis of innovation and knowledge processes: the relationship between the organizational capacities of firms in the biotechnology sector and their innovative performance. Through a detailed analysis based on a national survey of Mexican biotechnology firms, this work underlines the importance of generating a new type of reflection on linkage among capabilities, innovation, paradigms and trajectories, technological opportunities, relationship dynamics among actors and modes of insertion into the biotechnology value chain.

A study on socio-aesthetic value accentuation and marketing performance: an SDL perspective

“…A value may be well accentuated if a company has developed and continues to develop its innovation capabilities. According to Stezano and Espinoza (2019), innovation capability can be developed through the organisational routines of research and development practices. Innovation capability may be mirrored in the company's success in developing new patents and products and creating new values.…”

“…Secondly, innovation capability is a determinant for competitive advantage (Maldonado-Guzm an et al, 2019;Le and Lei, 2019). Thirdly, innovation capability provides leverage to enhance marketing performance (Stezano and Espinoza, 2019;O'Cass and Sok, 2013;Liu et al, 2017).…”

“…Several studies have shown that innovation capability is a determinant of performance, particularly marketing performance (Stezano and Espinoza, 2019;Pang et al, 2019; Value accentuation and marketing performance Maldonado-Guzm an et al, 2019). Scholars such as Park et al (2019) proved a direct impact on marketing performance, whereas Moccia et al (2019) found the impact of innovation capabilities on the design process to improve marketing performance.…”

Guest editorial

“…Considering knowledge-intensive activities in the bigger Latin-American countries, Stezano and Oliver Espinoza (2019 in this issue) conduct a comprehensive analysis of the innovation performance of the Mexican biotechnology firms. This article not only confirms the theoretical consensus on the relevance of innovative capacities and experience to achieve new marketable biotech products but also shows unexpected findings, which suppose a new challenge for Latin-American firms in science-based sectors.…”

“…In addition, these papers (Stezano and Oliver Espinoza, 2019; Lachman and López, 2019 in this issue) contribute by adapting suitable methodological designs to deal with “small n ” firms samples, which has been one of the most frequent challenges for quantitative empirical studies in high-tech sectors in Latin America.…”