Apprising Fragmentation in Regional Innovation Systems: a typology for Spain

El presente artículo tiene por objeto la realización de una estimación de la conectividad de los Sistemas Regionales de Innovación (SRI) españoles. Para ello, evaluamos el fenómeno de la fragmentación explicada en términos de «fallos de sistema», los cuales habían sido descritos de forma fundamentalmente teórica. Por el contrario, nuestra aproximación emplea cuatro conjuntos de indicadores cuantitativos integrados en un marco interpretativo formado por los principales subsistemas del SRI. Así, los denominados: «brechas directivas», «brechas estructurales», «brechas de innovación» y el «valle de la muerte», son situados en el marco presentado para ser posteriormente analizados sobre los SRI de las Comunidades Autónomas españolas a partir de indicadores basados en datos explotados "ad hoc" por parte del Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) y de la Asociación Española de Entidades de Capital Riesgo (ASCRI). Simplificamos la dimensionalidad de la tabla resultante a través de la aplicación de técnicas multivariantes como el Análisis Factorial Múltiple (AFM) o el análisis clúster, las cuales nos conducen a la presentación de una nueva tipología para el caso de España. Descubrimos comportamientos asimétricos en lo que respecta a los «fallos de sistema» expuestos; lo cual podría justificar el diseño de medidas exclusivas para su corrección en atención a la singularidad manifestada por cada sistema observado.This article is intended to estimate the inner connectivity of Spanish Regional Innovation Systems (RISs). In order to do so, we appraise their inner fragmentation with regards to certain system problems that so far have mainly been described in a theoretical fashion. Instead, we make use of four sets of quantitative indicators which are integrated into an interpretive framework composed of the main subsystems of RISs. Consequently, the so-called «managerial gaps», «structural holes», «innovation gaps» and the «valley of death» are placed together in this framework as a means to be further studied across the Spanish autonomous communities’ RISs. The empirical analysis is based on an ad hoc data exploitation which stems from various surveys conducted by the Spanish Official Statistical Institute (INE) and the Spanish Venture Capital Association (ASCRI). We conduct multivariate techniques such as Multiple Factor Analyses (MFA) and Cluster Analysis to reduce the dimensionality of our database, leading us to the presentation of a new typology for Spain. We find asymmetric responses with regards to these problems, which might demand for the design of individual corrective measures adapted to the specificities of each system observed

A multi-analytical approach to better assess the keratan sulfate contamination in animal origin chondroitin sulfate

Abstract Chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan widely used as active principle of anti-osteoarthritis drugs and nutraceuticals, manufactured by extraction from animal cartilaginous tissues. During the manufacturing procedures, another glycosaminoglycan, the keratan sulfate, might be contemporarily withdrawn, thus eventually constituting a contaminant difficult to be determined because of its structural similarity. Considering the strict regulatory rules on the pureness of pharmaceutical grade chondrotin sulfate there is an urgent need and interest to determine the residual keratan sulfate with specific, sensitive and reliable methods. To pursue this aim, in this paper, for the first time, we set up a multi-analytical and preparative approach based on: i) a newly developed method by high performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, ii) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, iii) size exclusion chromatography analyses coupled with triple detector array module and on iv) strong anion exchange chromatography separation. Varied KS percentages, in the range from 0.1 to 19.0% (w/w), were determined in seven pharmacopeia and commercial standards and nine commercial samples of different animal origin and manufacturers. Strong anion exchange chromatography profiles of the samples showed three or four different peaks. These peaks analyzed by high performance anion-exchange with pulsed amperometric detection and size exclusion chromatography with triple detector array, ion chromatography and by mono- or two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance revealed a heterogeneous composition of both glycosaminoglycans in terms of sulfation grade and molecular weight. High molecular weight species (>100 KDa) were also present in the samples that counted for chains still partially linked to a proteoglycan core

STI and DUI innovation modes: scientific-technological and context-specific nuances

In this paper, we join the debate on business innovation modes that originates from the wider literature on innovation systems. These specific contributions identify and study the impact of different innovation modes, particularly the mode focused on scientific and technologically-based innovation (STI) vs. the mode based on learning-by-doing, by-using, and by-interacting (DUI). Echoing the seminal contribution by Jensen et al. (2007) and a range of other studies, we confirm the importance of the combined STI&DUI interaction mode, which has a stronger impact on innovation output (technological and non-technological) than the two separate individual modes. Additionally, we propose a novel hypothesis on the effectiveness of firm's interaction modes. We argue that the independent STI mode has a stronger effect on technological innovation, whereas the independent DUI mode has a stronger impact on non-technological innovation. In addition, in line with works on the geography of innovation, and innovation systems, we try to determine the impact of regional vs. global DUI and STI interactions on technological and non-technological innovations. In this case, we expect that in diverse geographic locations, businesses tend to adopt their own context-specific interaction modes, which produce a differentiated impact on innovation output. This study is applied to a large sample of firms in the context of the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain

The impact of business innovation modes on SME innovation performance in post-Soviet transition economies: the case of Belarus

This study analyzes the most effective innovation modes (‘science and technology-based innovation’, STI,and ‘doing, using and interacting-based innovation’, DUI) for business innovation performance in the context of post-Soviet Transition Economies (PSTE). Their specificities are expected to influence both their business innovation modes and their impact on innovation output. In particular, we aim at identifying the specificities of PSTE in that the DUI mode alone (and its specific drivers) is more relevant than the STI mode alone (and its drivers). In our hypothesis, this outcome should be even stronger in the context of non-technological types of innovation (e.g. organizational innovation

Migration, communities-on-the-move and international innovation networks: An empirical analysis of Spanish regions

This paper investigates the impact of migration on innovation networks between regions and foreign countries. We posit that immigrants (emigrants) act as a transnational knowledge bridge between the host (home) regions and their origin (destination) countries, thus facilitating their co-inventorship networks. We also argue that the social capital of both the hosting and the moving communities reinforces such a bridging role, along with language commonality and migrants’ human capital. Focusing on Spain, as a country that hosted an intense process of migration over the past two decades, we combine patent data with national data on residents and electors abroad and we apply a gravity model to the co-inventorship between Spanish provinces (NUTS3 regions) and a number of foreign countries. Both immigrants and emigrants affect the kind of innovation networking at stake. The social capital of both the moving and the hosting communities actually moderate this impact in a positive way. The effect of migration is stronger for more skilled migrants and with respect to non-Spanish speaking countries, pointing to a language-bridging role of migrants. Policy implications are drawn accordingly

Linking learning with governance in networks and clusters: key issues for analysis and policy

In this paper we analyse the relationship between governance and learning in clusters and networks. In particular, we see these two key elements as interdependent, suggesting that, under particular circumstances, such interdependence may drive clusters and networks towards a dynamic development trajectory. A pure ‘governance perspective’ makes the development of any locality dependent on the system of powers which exists within the locality or across the global value chain. In parallel, a pure ‘competence-based approach’ focuses mainly on the capabilities of actors to learn and undertake activities. In contrast, we open the prospects for an interdependent relation that may change the actual competences of actors as well as the governance settings and dynamics in networks and clusters. When supported by public policies, the learning process may have the potential to modify the governance environment. Simultaneously, the learning process is intrinsically influenced by economic power, which may seriously affect the development prospects of clusters and networks. This is why an intertwined consideration of both aspects is necessary to promote specific approaches to learning and to design appropriate policies. In this paper we offer two preliminary case studies to clarify some of these dynamics: the first taken from the computers cluster in Costa Rica and the second from an Italian bio-pharmaceutical firm and its production network. The first case study refers to the software cluster that was created from scratch in Costa Rica thanks to an enlightened government policy in coordination with new local enterprises and an important foreign direct investor; while the second reflects on the ability of an individual company to create a network of relationships with large transnational companies in order to acquire new competences without falling into a subordinate position with respect to its larger partners

A new approach to migration: communities on the move as assets

The aim of this article (opening the special issue) is to examine the impact of migration on a specific set of issues at the regional level: innovation, entrepreneurship and economic performance. In particular, we look at migration through a new lens of analysis, which we have termed the “Communities-on-the-Move (CoM)” approach. In a nutshell, this approach focuses on migrant communities, emerging from the capacity of specific national/regional groups to carry the heritage of their social capital when moving from one place to another. More precisely, the CoM approach focuses on the social capital migrants can rely on to “bond” their in-group relations and to “bridge” with extra-group ones during the migration process. The CoM approach represents a different, though complementary approach to the analysis of diasporas in the migration literature. Indeed, CoM relates to diasporas similarly to how “clustering effects” relate to “networking activities” in the regional economics of innovation literature. CoM approach takes account of the local effects such communities generate in the localities they are embedded in (“clustering effect”), while the related ‘diaspora communities concept’ captures the non-local “networking activities” that connect ethnic communities across the world. As we will also maintain in the following, through this specificity the CoM approach is likely to capture a significant impact on innovation, entrepreneurship and economic performance, which would remain otherwise hidden by using more standard approaches to migration

Civiltà della Campania. Anno I, n. 1 (dicembre 1974)

A.I, n. 1 (dicembre 1974): M. Parrilli, Editoriale, P. 3 ; R. Virtuoso, Civiltà della Campania, P. 3 ; G. Galasso, Fisionomìa storica della regione, P. 6 ; Natale in Campania, P. 11, R. Causa, Cinque secoli di Presepe di, P. 12 ; M. Stefanile, I presepi d’una volta di, P. 20 ; D. Rea, L’universo mangereccio del Presepe di, P. 28 ; M. Prisco, Il presepe in provincia di, P. 34 ; B. Gatta, Una storia che non fu, P. 42 ; A. Mozzillo, Stendhal a Napoli, P. 47 ; E. Perrin, Viaggio a Cava d’un abate francese, P. 52 ; A.P. Carbone, Ravello: Villa Rufolo un paradiso per tutti, 54 ; D. Fernandez, Lettera d’amore a Napoli, P. 60 ; A. Gatto, Un mazzetto di poesie con la mia mano, 54 ; M. Parrilli, Vocazione turistica e culturale del Salernitano, P. 60 ; E. Comito, Poesia di Casertantica, P. 64 ; A. Fratta, Majorca e le Sirene, P. 67 ; V. Ricciuti, De Sica addio, P. 72 ; M. Perrotta, Il motoscafo spazzino del mare di Capri, P. 76 ; F. Canessa, Ritorna l’« opera buffa », P. 78 ; P. Gargano, Archeologia in villa, P. 83 ; E. Corsi, Per un nuovo equilibrio alberghiero, P. 86 ; F. Garbaccio, Un termalismo per tutte le stagioni, P. 88; G. Blasi, Amalfi by night, P. 90 ; A. Scelzo, La maratona Paestum-Salerno, P. 91 ; Notiziario, P. 92 ; F. De Ciuceis, Segnalazioni bibliografiche, P. 95

Civiltà della Campania. Anno II, n. 3 (agosto-ottobre 1975)

A. II, n.3 (agosto-ottobre 1975): Il messaggio dell’Assessore Emilio de Feo, P. 3 ; M. Parrilli, Continuità nel turismo regionale, P. 3 ; Napoli nei secoli, P. 5 ; G. Galasso, Tumulti ed elezioni del ’600, P. 6 ; N. Cilento, Nella città medioevale, P. 18 ; B. Gatta, Capri tra Napoleone e Murat, P. 24 ; R. Causa, Gioacchino Toma a Napoli, P. 30 ; A. Assante, Napoli e il suo porto, P. 34 ; G. Grimaldi, Messaggio di fede dell’Anno Santo, P. 40 ; R. Vlad, Musica all’aperto, P. 50 ; M. Stefanile, Viaggio nella storia di Amalfi, P. 52 ; D. Rea, Mappa minore, P. 60 ; M. Prisco , Incontro con la Badia, P. 68 ; P. Amos e A. Gambardella, Il villaggio di Albori, P. 74 ; R. Virtuoso, Giovanni Cuomo ritorna tra i giovani, P. 76 ; V. Panebianco, Il turismo venuto dalla storia, P. 80 ; A.P. Carbone, Le grotte di Pertosa, P. 84 ; F. de Ciuceis, Il mare di Caserta, P. 88 ; E. Tirone, Riti settennali a Guardia Sanframondi, P. 92 ; F. Calabro, Turismo e cultura a Capri, P. 98 ; F. de Ciuceis, Settembre al Borgo, P. 102 ; I. Santoro, Teggiano citta museo, P. 104 ; Notiziario, P. 108