The Patterns of Inter-firm and Inter-industry Knowledge Flows in the Netherlands

This paper presents a study of backward and forward patent citations in patents granted to firms and institutions in the Netherlands by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The study establishes different patterns of patent citation in recent Dutch patents belonging to different industrial classes. We run our model in the set of backward citations made in Dutch applicants’ patents during 1996-2006 and in the set of forward citations to patents issued to firms and organizations in the Netherlands during 1993-2006. We compare the patterns of knowledge utilization (represented by backward patent citations) and knowledge dissemination (represented by forward patent citations) and obtain evidence of inter- or intra-firm and inter- or intra-industry knowledge spillovers. In the context of effective competition and innovation policies we advocate for paying special attention to industry specifics when designing policy programs and measures directed at stimulating R&D cooperation and knowledge spillovers. We present evidence that policies for promoting better knowledge exchange among firms should also distinguish between the measures for promoting the inward and the outward knowledge flows for companies in the Netherlands.knowledge flows, R&D spillovers, backward and forward patent citations

Strategic R&D with Knowledge Spillovers and Endogenous Time to Complete

It is shown that asymmetry in R&D efficiency between firms is an important factor determining feasibility of the preemption and attrition scenarios in competitive R&D with time to build. Scenarios of attrition and preemption games are most likely to occur when competitors have similar R&D efficiencies. In case of largely asymmetric firms the games of attrition and preemption are very unlikely, thus the R&D duration choices of firms are determined by the actual trade-off between the benefits of earlier innovation and the costs of faster R&D project completion.R&D Investment;Competition;Preemption;Attrition

Innovation Strategies in a Competitive Dynamic Setting

This paper presents a dynamic model of a competitive R&D and production duopoly subject to knowledge spillovers. Two asymmetric firms operate for a limited period of time and dispose their knowledge capital in the end. Both firms and the social planner prefer the R&D-cooperative strategy over the competitive one regardless of the intensity of knowledge spillovers. Accumulation of knowledge capital results allows the monopolist to have lower marginal cost of production and charge a lower market price than a fully competitive duopoly. Being able to define the degree of knowledge exchange when creating a research joint venture, the firms do not necessary choose the highest degree of cooperation available.innovation, R&D, spillovers, cooperation

Forming of Political Competence in Medical Students in the Process of Learning Medical Law

In today’s world organization of the health care system and the formation of politically competent health care professionals is seen as an important national issue, the effective implementation of which requires joint efforts and levers of government, medical and educational communities, and the public sector as well. Therefore, the article analyzes the components of competence nature, including cognitive, affective, volitional qualities, skills and experience. Their impact and role in the process of formation of a medical student’s personality is monitored, the author’s specified interpretation of the ‘political competence’ concept is offered, and the political competence forming algorithm in future medical professionals is inferred. At the same time, attention is focused on whether it is advisable to conduct different types of interdisciplinary integrated classes, considering the specifics of medical law as a cross-field educational course. They would contribute to the systematization of professional knowledge and skills of students, forming of critical reasoning in the process of solving problem situational tasks.Wide combinatorial potential of medical law is designed to intensify educational and cognitive activity of students, and to catalyze the process of adapting future experts for carrying out their professional duties. Therefore, political competence can be regarded as a means of accumulation of general educational, professional and special knowledge. Such properties of it are socially demanded in today’s information society that is characterized by a high level of professional mobility, rapid knowledge share in the form of information, and psychological openness and readiness to accept innovation as well