The geography of innovation : challenge to technology policy within regions

The "Geography of Innovation" is based on the desire to give empirical foundations to the explanations behind the pronounced spatial polarisation of the innovation activities. It focuses on an attempt to measure the spatial dimension of knowledge externalities, in order to reveal their role in the organisation of research systems. The aim of this paper is to survey this empirical literature in order to highlight the main results interesting for the innovation policy. This analysis emphasises one main role of technology policy : supporting the institutions which generate knowledge and learning. These are found at various territorial levels, especially within the European Union. Here attention is drawn to the regional intervention level.technology policy, geography of innovation, knowledge externalities, European regions, knowledge-based economy

Affiliation network: representations and analysis

In this paper, we compare two different representations of Framework Programs as affiliation network: “One-mode networks” and “Two-mode networks”. The aim of this article is to show that the choice of the representationhas an impact on the analysis of the networks and on the results of the analysis. In order to support our proposals, we present two forms of representation and different indicators used in the analysis. We study the network of the 6th Framework Program using the two forms of representation. In particular, we show that the identification of the central nodes is sensitive to the chosen representation. Furthermore, the nodes forming the core of the network vary according to the representation. These differences of results are important as they can influence innovation policies.networks

Is financial support for private R&D always justified ? A discussion based on literature on growth

Many economists have long held that market failures create a gap between social and private returns to Research and Development (R&D), thereby limiting private incentives to invest in R&D. However, this common belief that firms significantly underinvest in R&D is increasingly being challenged, leading the rationale behind public support for private R&D to be questioned. In this paper, we attempt to clarify the perspectives of two sources : the theoretical literature on endogenous growth, and its recent developments in integrating a geographical dimension, and the empirical literature that measures the social returns to R&D in relation to the private returns. Ultimately, we are able to clearly distinguish among different types of market failures and compare their relative impact on the gap between the private and social returns to R&D. Two main conclusions are reached. First, systematic firm underinvestment in R&D is not demonstrated. Second, even though instances of underinvestment do occur, they are mainly explained by surplus appropriability problems rather than by knowledge externalities. This suggests the need for a new policy mix that employs more demand-oriented instruments and is more concentrated on identifying efficient allocations among activities rather than merely increasing global private R&D investment

Knowledge diffusion and innovation policies within the European regions: Challenges based on recent empirical evidence

This article builds upon empirical results concerning localised knowledge spillovers to highlight some policy implications within European regions. The analysis emphasises the role of regional innovation policies in supporting the institutions that generate knowledge and learning. However, the variety of regional features presented in the empirical literature suggests that the search for universal policy tools is unrealistic. From this perspective, we argue that original strategies must be generated to cope with the various dilemmas faced by regional innovation policies. Such specific strategies require accurate knowledge of local features. Improving data and indicators to diagnose and monitor regional innovation is therefore presented as a key issue for policy makersinnovation policy ; localised knowledge flows ; European regions ; knowledge-based economy

The determinants of innovation adoption

Using a sample of 46 000 EU firms from the Community Innovation Survey, this paper analyses the drivers of innovation adoption. In contrast to most empirical studies on innovation diffusion in which a specific technology is analyzed, this study covers several countries and industries in the European Union. Following Van de Ven and Van Praag (1981), Heckman's method is applied in a context of binary endogenous variable to explain the choices made by firms regarding innovation. Distinctions are made between the internal generation of innovation and the adoption of innovation produced by others, as well as between different types of adoption (product vs. process and cooperation-based adoption vs. isolated adoption). The study is focused on the impact of users' features and their cooperation with suppliers on the adoption choices. The results point out that cooperation is a key driver of adoption choices. Usual determinants such as firm size, absorptive capability or exports would foster generation of innovation instead of adoption.Innovation adoption; Innovation diffusion; Community Innovation Survey; Process adoption; Product adoption

Affiliation network: representations and analysis

In this paper, we compare two different representations of Framework Programs as affiliation network: “One-mode networks” and “Two-mode networks”. The aim of this article is to show that the choice of the representationhas an impact on the analysis of the networks and on the results of the analysis. In order to support our proposals, we present two forms of representation and different indicators used in the analysis. We study the network of the 6th Framework Program using the two forms of representation. In particular, we show that the identification of the central nodes is sensitive to the chosen representation. Furthermore, the nodes forming the core of the network vary according to the representation. These differences of results are important as they can influence innovation policies

L'influence de l'environnement régional sur la création et la croissance des PME de biotechnologie

http://media.education.gouv.fr/file/76/7/2767.pdfNational audienceLes auteurs analysent les déterminants de la création et de la croissance des P.M.E. de biotechnologie au niveau régional. Ils montrent que les firmes sont créées dans les régions qui présentent un fort potentiel scientifique et technologique. La diversité des compétences scientifiques et techniques, la taille des marchés et la concentration des industries reliées (entreprises dont l'activité a trait aux sciences de la vie) jouent un effet positif sur l'attractivité de la région en terme de création.En revanche, les profils scientifiques et technologiques régionaux ne constituent pas un déterminant-clé de la croissance des entreprises. L'influence de l'environnement régional sur la création et la croissance des P.M.

Knowledge diffusion and innovation policies within the European regions: Challenges based on recent empirical evidence

Working Paper GATE 2010-10This article builds upon empirical results concerning localised knowledge spillovers to highlight some policy implications within European regions. The analysis emphasises the role of regional innovation policies in supporting the institutions that generate knowledge and learning. However, the variety of regional features presented in the empirical literature suggests that the search for universal policy tools is unrealistic. From this perspective, we argue that original strategies must be generated to cope with the various dilemmas faced by regional innovation policies. Such specific strategies require accurate knowledge of local features. Improving data and indicators to diagnose and monitor regional innovation is therefore presented as a key issue for policy maker

The diffusion/adoption of innovation in the internal market

The main aim of the present study is to analyze the drivers of innovation adoption by (i) developing proper measures able to proxy for innovation adoption and internal market regulations, (ii) identifying the channels through which innovation adoption takes place and (iii) assessing the main determinants of this adoption process within the internal market. An original model is derived from the theoretical literature on innovation diffusion. Results show that the impact of the transmission channels on innovation adoption is especially important for cooperation, leaving trade and competition as apparently minor channels of innovation diffusion (and especially depending on the type of innovation adoption under examination). The overall result argues that more cooperation across firms and countries is going to be beneficial to the process of innovation adoption.The Diffusion/Adoption of Innovation in the Internal Market, Community Innovation Survey, Micro Data, Cooperation, Trade, Competition, Suriñach, Autant-Bernard, Manca, Massard, Moreno