Co-evolution and networks adaptation.

What is the role of co-evolution in the adaptation of a population of firms to a hostile environment ? To answer this question, we revisit network sociology starting from Kauffman s biological computer model. We apply a qualitative methodology to update exploitation and exploration mechanisms in nine Japanese interfirm networks. From these results, this article draws a typology of the adaptation forms, distinguishing pack, migratory, herd and colony networks.Sociologie des organisations; Réseaux d’entreprises;

Public innovation intermediaries and digital co-creation. Research contribution to the OECD TIP Co-creation project

The emerging digital technologies pose new challenges to innovation intermediaries. In this chapter we build on a case base of evidence on selected public intermediaries in France (pôles de compétitivité) and in the UK (digital catapults), to argue that public innovation intermediar-ies, which carry public policy mandates, have a specific role to play, particularly in the context on the emerging, complex, and yet not fully commoditised set of technologies underpinning the ‘fourth industrial revolution’. In particular, we reveal that by connecting a plurality of actors on the demand and supply side, public innovation intermediaries facilitate co-creation of complex technological solutions, and that in doing so, they create both social and economic value. The goals of examined co-creation activities revolve around finding highly innovative solutions to complex problems triggered by the digital transformation. The co-creation initiatives that we study take place at the national level, but their outputs have broader impact on the activities of the parties involved. Our evidence suggests that, when co-creating a complex technological solution, the intermediary is involved in two complementary, often intertwined, but distinct processes that bring together organisations that demand technology and those that supply technological solutions. On the demand side, the intermediary helps the organisation looking for a technological solution (a large company, an SME, or a municipality) to articulate their demand, and eventually find it as well. We call this ‘demand-led’ co-creation. On the supply side, the intermediary brings together a system of technology providers (large companies, SMEs, universities and public research or-ganisations) able to devise, develop and implement a technological solution to match the needs of the organisation on the demand side. We call this ‘supply-led’ co-creation. The intermediary is present from the beginning to the end of the co-creation processes, with its activities extending beyond co-creation processes to ensure post-project continuity between the involved actors. Among demand-led co-creation processes, we identified at least two different approaches devised by Catapults and Pôles de compétitivité - the development of an open challenge, and the development of a proof-of concept. On the supply side, we noted the creation of the so-called ‘groupement’ of SMEs by pôles de compétitivité, whereby the pôle facilitates the creation of a value-chain that is able to respond to complex demands of organisations looking for technolog-ical solutions. Our study shows that public intermediaries are able to play their unique role in co-creation processes thanks to several factors: the legitimacy they have to act as intermediaries, as they are endowed with public mandates; the presence of long-term public funding that enables interme-diaries to be perceived as neutral agents, to gain reputation and trust over time; the networks of trusted experts on whom they can rely to successfully complete their mission; a well functioning evaluation process that spurs intermediaries to act effectively and efficiently and to be respon-sive to demands from their stakeholders

Mapping the distribution of Internet of Things competences across European regions

Digital transformation is a key strategic issue for countries and regions aiming to boost economic growth, job creation, technology development and innovation. With a focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) the paper maps the potential of IoT technologies across European regions, using textual analysis applied to the description of companies’ activities. Results identify three categories of regions (IoT leaders, co-designers and suppliers) capturing their potential to harness opportunities in IoT, based on the variety of IoT competences that are present. This mapping can support regional policies, particularly in the context of smart specialization strategies building on IoT systems

Mapping regional strengths in a key enabling technology: the distribution of Internet of Things competences across European regions

The Internet of Things (IoT) can trigger innovation processes across all sectors of the economy. However, this potential is not available to all regions. As with other enabling technologies, the competences required to develop IoT solutions are numerous and var-ied, ranging from hardware to software and related services, and are often provided by different companies. To map the application potential of these technologies across Eu-ropean regions, we use textual analysis applied to the description of companies’ activi-ties, which in turn allows us to identify the NACE codes associated with five main IoT domains. We identify clusters of regions characterised by different mixes of compe-tences in IoT technologies, and we discern three groups of regions – regions with spe-cialised IoT competences in software, data processing and telecommunications, regions with specialised IoT competences in hardware manufacturing, and regions with cross-layer IoT competences. Regions with cross layer IoT competences are highly concen-trated in the North-West of Europe and have a significant presence in either urban re-gions, often centred in the capital cities and their metropolitan areas, or in very-high income manufacturing regions. Regions specialised in hardware manufacturing coin-cide with the more established manufacturing regions in Germany, Italy and France. Regions specialised in software, data processing and telecommunications tend to be urban, medium-high income regions in North-West Europe. We discuss the policy im-plications of our findings at both European and regional levels

Optimising the Global Value Chain: An Analysis of the Automobile Industry

International audienceThis article analyses location strategies pursued by multinational corporations. The authors examine different conceptual frameworks proposed in the literature, in order to identify major determinants of location choice. The analysis focuses on production and R&D activities, which play a strategic role in the global value chain of compa-nies. The field chosen for empirical investigation is the automobile industry, in which the spatial dimension plays a particularly important role. In a context in which markets and competition are globalised, car manufacturers need to optimise the location of their activities in order to remain competitive. The arguments presented show that most manufacturers concentrate a large part of their production and R&D activities in their country of origin or home region. However, the relative importance of production and R&D facilities based abroad is constantly growing, especially in emerging markets, which can be considered as particularly attractive territories for multinational corporations. In a context in which the attractiveness of cities, regions or countries seems to be in a state of constant change, the present study enhances our understanding of location choices made by multinational corporations

Vers un modèle d'internationalisation des PME à travers les clusters industriels

International audienc

Le rôle des pôles de compétitivité dans l’internationalisation des PME : une étude exploratoire

Cet article explore le rôle d’un pôle de compétitivité, que l’on peut considérer comme un cluster formel, dans l’internationalisation des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Sur la base d’une étude de cas multiples, nous mettons en évidence la manière par laquelle les pôles de compétitivité facilitent le développement international des PME. De plus, nous identifions les avantages perçus de l’internationalisation à travers les pôles et les caractéristiques des PME les plus à même de tirer des bénéfices de ce mode d’internationalisation.This article explores the role of industrial clusters in France, which can be regarded as formal clusters, in the internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Based on a multiple case study, we shed light on the ways in which clusters facilitate the international development of SMEs. Furthermore, we identify the perceived advantages of internationalization through clusters and the characteristics of SMEs which tend to benefit the most from this internationalization mode.Este artículo explora el rol de los clusters industriales en Francia, que pueden considerarse como clusters formales, en la internacionalización de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES). Basado en un estudio de casos múltiples, este artículo arroja luz sobre las formas en que los clusters facilitan el desarrollo internacional de las PYMES. Además, identificamos las ventajas percibidas de la internacionalización a través de los clusters y las características de las PYMES que son las que tienden a beneficiarse más de esta modalidad de internacionalización

Le rôle des pôles de compétitivité dans l’internationalisation des PME : une étude exploratoire

Cet article explore le rôle d’un pôle de compétitivité, que l’on peut considérer comme un cluster formel, dans l’internationalisation des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Sur la base d’une étude de cas multiples, nous mettons en évidence la manière par laquelle les pôles de compétitivité facilitent le développement international des PME. De plus, nous identifions les avantages perçus de l’internationalisation à travers les pôles et les caractéristiques des PME les plus à même de tirer des bénéfices de ce mode d’internationalisation.This article explores the role of industrial clusters in France, which can be regarded as formal clusters, in the internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Based on a multiple case study, we shed light on the ways in which clusters facilitate the international development of SMEs. Furthermore, we identify the perceived advantages of internationalization through clusters and the characteristics of SMEs which tend to benefit the most from this internationalization mode.Este artículo explora el rol de los clusters industriales en Francia, que pueden considerarse como clusters formales, en la internacionalización de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES). Basado en un estudio de casos múltiples, este artículo arroja luz sobre las formas en que los clusters facilitan el desarrollo internacional de las PYMES. Además, identificamos las ventajas percibidas de la internacionalización a través de los clusters y las características de las PYMES que son las que tienden a beneficiarse más de esta modalidad de internacionalización