Do process innovations boost SMEs productivity growth?

In this paper we explore in depth the effect of process innovations on total factor productivity growth for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), taking into account the potential endogeneity problem that may be caused by self selection into these activities. First, we analyse whether the ex-ante most productive SMEs are those that start introducing process innovations; then, we test whether process innovations boost SMEs productivity growth using matching techniques to control for the possibility that selection into introducing process innovations may not be a random process. We use a sample of Spanish manufacturing SMEs for the period 1991-2002, drawn from the Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales. Our results show that the introduction of process innovations by a first-time process innovator yields an extra productivity growth as compared to a non-process innovator, and that the life span of this extra productivity growth has an inverted U-shaped form. En este artículo se exploran los posibles efectos de la introducción de innovaciones de proceso en el crecimiento de la productividad de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES). Para ello se presta especial atención a la existencia de un problema de selección no aleatorio en la implementación de tales innovaciones. En primer lugar, se analiza si son aquellas empresas ex-ante más productivas las que introducen innovaciones de proceso. A continuación, se utilizan técnicas de matching para contrastar si la implementación de innovaciones de proceso acelera el crecimiento de la productividad de las PYMES. La utilización de técnicas de matching permite controlar la posible existencia de un proceso de selección no aleatorio en la implementación de innovaciones de proceso. El análisis empírico se lleva cabo usando una muestra de PYMES manufactureras españolas extraída de la Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales. Nuestros resultados muestran que la implementación de innovaciones de proceso por parte de PYMES sin experiencia previa en la introducción de tales innovaciones, produce un crecimiento extra de la productividad de estas PYMES en comparación con el de aquellas PYMES que no implementan innovaciones de proceso. Adicionalmente, nuestros resultados sugieren la existencia de una relación en forma de U invertida entre el crecimiento extra de la productividad y el tiempo transcurrido desde la introducción de la innovación de proceso.innovaciones de proceso, PTF, dominancia estocástica, técnicas de matching. process innovations, TFP, stochastic dominance, matching techniques.

SUNK COSTS HYSTERESIS IN SPANISH MANUFACTURING EXPORTS

This paper tests the sunk costs explanation for hysteresis in exports using a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms for the period 1990-2000. The data are drawn from the Spanish Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales. To obtain consistent estimates for sunk costs, we control for all other sources of persistence and use a dynamic random effects multivariate probit model that is estimated through pseudo simulated maximum-likelihood techniques. Our results support the sunk costs explanation for hysteresis. Furthermore, regional spillovers and some firm characteristics such as size, productivity or vertical and horizontal product differentiation are found to have a significant influence on the probability of exporting. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el papel de los costes irrecuperables como factorexplicativo de la histéresis de las exportaciones. Para ello se hace uso de una muestra deempresas industriales españolas para el período 1999-2000, que proviene de la Encuestasobre Estrategias Empresariales. Con el objetivo de obtener estimaciones consistentespara los costes irrecuperables, controlamos por todas las posibles fuentes alternativas depersistencia y estimamos nuestro modelo usando técnicas de pseudo máximaverosimilitud simulada. Nuestros resultados confirman a los costes irrecuperables comocausante de la histéresis de las exportaciones. Adicionalmente, encontramos que lasexternalidades regionales y algunas características empresariales tales como tamaño,productividad o diferenciación horizontal y vertical tienen un impacto significativosobre la probabilidad de exportar.Histéresis de las exportaciones, costes irrecuperables, modelos dinámicos de elección discrecional hysteresis in trade, sunk costs, dynamic discrete choice models

Strategic behavior in Schelling dynamics: A new result and experimental evidence

In this paper we experimentally test Schelling’s (1971) segregation model and confirm the striking result of segregation. In addition, we extend Schelling’s model theoretically by adding strategic behavior and moving costs. We obtain a unique subgame perfect equilibrium in which rational agents facing moving costs may find it optimal not to move (anticipating other participants’ movements). This equilibrium is far for full segregation. We run experiments for this extended Schelling model. We find that the percentage of strategic players dramatically increases with the cost of moving and that the degree of segregation depends on the distribution of rational subjects.Subgame perfect equilibrium, segregation, experimental games

A version of the Stone-Weierstrass theorem in fuzzy analysis

Let C ( K , E 1 ) be the space of continuous functions defined between a compact Hausdorff space K and the space of fuzzy numbers E 1 endowed with the supremum metric. We provide a set of sufficient conditions on a subspace of C ( K , E 1 ) in order that it be dense. We also obtain a similar result for interpolating families of C ( K , E 1 ) . As a corollary of the above results we prove that certain fuzzy-number-valued neural networks can approximate any continuous fuzzy-number-valued function defined on a compact subspace of R

Sequential vs. Simultaneous Schelling Models: Experimental Evidence

This paper shows the results of experiments where subjects play the Schelling's spatial proximity model (1969, 1971a). Two types of experiments are conducted; one in which choices are made sequentially, and a variation of the first where the decision-making is simultaneous. The results of the sequential experiments are identical to Schelling's prediction: subjects finish in a segregated equilibrium. Likewise, in the variant of the simultaneous decision experiment the same result is reached: segregation. Subjects’ heterogeneity generates a series of focal points in the first round. In order to locate themselves, subjects use these focal points immediately, and as a result, the segregation takes place again. Furthermore, simultaneous experiments with commuting costs allow us to conclude that introducing positive moving costs does not affect segregation.Schelling models, economic experiments, segregation

Completeness, metrizability and compactness in spaces of fuzzy-number-valued functions

Fuzzy-number-valued functions, that is, functions defined on a topological space taking values in the space of fuzzy numbers, play a central role in the development of Fuzzy Analysis. In this paper we study completeness, metrizability and compactness of spaces of continuous fuzzy-number-valued functions

ICT investment in Spanish SMEs of service and retail sectors. Is it determined by managers gender?

This study investigates the role of the entrepreneur’s gender on digitalization strategies undertaken by SMEs in the service and retail sectors. Specifically, we aim at testing how the gender of the entrepreneur may affect investment in software and equipment related to information and communication technologies (ICT). We use a sample of 1,041 Spanish businesses and estimate a bivariate probit model for these two decisions, controlling for other entrepreneurial and business characteristics. Results indicate a higher probability of male entrepreneurs to invest in software and ICT equipment, as compared to women. Furthermore, we find that entrepreneurial risk-taking and business’ innovation capabilities are important drivers for engaging in these two digitalisation strategies, regardless of the gender of the entrepreneur, and that entrepreneurial proactiveness is especially important for women entrepreneurs, since the positive impact of entrepreneurial proactiveness on the probability to engage in digitalisation strategies is stronger in women-led businesses.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Sequentially compact subsets and monotone functions: An application to fuzzy theory

Let (X,<,τO) be a first countable compact linearly ordered topological space. If (Y,D) is a uniform sequentially compact linearly ordered space with weight less than the splitting number s, then we characterize the sequentially compact subsets of the space M(X,Y) of all monotone functions from X into Y endowed with the topology of the uniform convergence induced by the uniformity D. In particular, our results are applied to identify the compact subsets of M([0,1],Y) for a wide class of linearly ordered topological spaces, including Y=R. This allows us to provide a characterization of the compact subsets of an extended version of the fuzzy number space (with the supremum metric) where the reals are replaced by certain linearly ordered topological spaces, which corrects some characterizations which appear in the literature. Since fuzzy analysis is based on the notion of fuzzy number just as much as classical analysis is based on the concept of real number, our results open new possibilities of research in this field

Bilinear isometries on spaces of vector-valued continuous functions

Let X, Y, Z be compact Hausdorff spaces and let E1, E2, E3 be Banach spaces. If T:C(X,E1)×C(Y,E2)→C(Z,E3) is a bilinear isometry which is stable on constants and E3 is strictly convex, then there exist a nonempty subset Z0 of Z, a surjective continuous mapping h:Z0→X×Y and a continuous function ω:Z0→Bil(E1×E2,E3) such that T(f,g)(z)=ω(z)(f(πX(h(z))),g(πY(h(z)))) for all z∈Z0 and every pair (f,g)∈C(X,E1)×C(Y,E2). This result generalizes the main theorems in Cambern (1978) [2] and Moreno and Rodríguez (2005) [7]