The spatial dimension of patenting by multinational firms in Europe

We investigate the spatial pattern of patenting by the world’s largest multinational enterprises (MNEs). Based on a summary of the theoretical literature on R&D by MNEs and the spatial nature of knowledge generation and knowledge spillovers, we expect spatial concentration of patenting by these large MNEs. A database is developed that provides information on patenting by European region (we use 125 regions) at the aggregated MNE group level. This database is used to describe a number of features of the spatial pattern of pateting by MNEs in Europe. The main findings in this respect are that MNEs patenting activities are strongly concentrated in a relatively small number of regions and that the share of foreign patenting in total patenting varies greatly by firm. In an attempt to shed light on the mechanisms behind these tendencies, we use patent citations to measure the spatial concentration of knowledge flows and spillovers between firms, and within the same firm between different regional locations. For the majority of cases, we find that units between which patent citations occur are located relatively near to each other, which indeed points to the spatial character of patent citations. This holds for between-firms citations and within-firms citations. Moreover, we find a distinct time pattern associated to knowledge flows (as indicated by patent citations): the spatial scope of these flows first broadens but then narrows down again

IOB Review - Riding the wave of sustainable commodity sourcing. Review of the Sustainable Trade Initiative IDH 2008-2013

The Sustainable Trade Initiative IDH (Initiatief Duurzame Handel) was set up in 2008 as a multi-stakeholder initiative of private companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), trade unions and the Dutch government with the aim of improving smallholder production systems, market integration and enhancing sustainable sourcing from developing countries. The activities undertaken by IDH focused on improving and transforming the supply chain performance of internationally traded commodities (such as coffee, tea, cotton, cocoa, timber, palm oil and fish). They rely on promoting good agricultural practice, farmers’ training and certification as key activities

The spatial dimension of patenting by multinational firms in Europe

We investigate the spatial pattern of patenting by the world’s largest multinational enterprises (MNEs). Based on a summary of the theoretical literature on R&D by MNEs and the spatial nature of knowledge generation and knowledge spillovers, we expect spatial concentration of patenting by these large MNEs. A database is developed that provides information on patenting by European region (we use 125 regions) at the aggregated MNE group level. This database is used to describe a number of features of the spatial pattern of pateting by MNEs in Europe. The main findings in this respect are that MNEs patenting activities are strongly concentrated in a relatively small number of regions and that the share of foreign patenting in total patenting varies greatly by firm. In an attempt to shed light on the mechanisms behind these tendencies, we use patent citations to measure the spatial concentration of knowledge flows and spillovers between firms, and within the same firm between different regional locations. For the majority of cases, we find that units between which patent citations occur are located relatively near to each other, which indeed points to the spatial character of patent citations. This holds for between-firms citations and within-firms citations. Moreover, we find a distinct time pattern associated to knowledge flows (as indicated by patent citations): the spatial scope of these flows first broadens but then narrows down again

The spatial dimension of patenting by multinational firms in Europe

The present paper employs spatial econometrics techniques to discriminate empirically between various economically plausible spatial patterns of interregional knowledge spillovers between west German planning regions in the 1990s. In general, interregional spillovers are found to contribute significantly to regional knowledge production. Due to fairly high spatial transaction costs, however, only a small fraction of the knowledge available in neighboring regions actually spills over. Consequently, the absolute contribution of ‘foreign’ knowledge to a region's innovative performance is quite low. Moreover, only regions with low R&D density benefit from interregional spillovers. For regions with high R&D density they seem to be negligible. One reason for this may be some sort of self-sufficiency in the R&D centers where researchers may have fewer incentives to consult researchers in other regions. Another reason for this may be the dominance of unidirectional knowledge flows from technological leaders to followers

The spatial dimension of knowledge spillovers in Europe : evidence from firm patenting data

Technology spillovers are important because they have a large impact on economic growth. In the interpretation of, e.g., Grossman and Helpman (1991), technology spillovers increase the efficiency of the research process within an individual firm. The notion that is behind this is that technological knowledge is a non-rival good, Le., can be shared without reducing its value. The paradoxical situation is that this characteristic of knowledge, while beneficial at the aggregate level, leads to a lack of incentives to produce knowledge at the micro level. The reason is that firms that have the prospect that the knowledge they develop will be imitated by other firms at lower costs will decide not to invest in research

Learning in strategic technology alliances

In this paper we examine the influence of strategic technology alliances on organisational learning. From an empirical perspective we examine the pre- and post-alliance knowledge bases of allying firms. We find that the pre-alliance knowledge base overlap of the allying firms has an inverted U-shaped relationship with the degree of learning taking place in the alliance. Alliances established for the purpose of learning also show a significantly greater increase in knowledge base overlap for the allying firms than for non-learning alliance or non-allying firms. This shows the particular importance of learning alliances as a vehicle for organisational learning and competence development. Contrary to what we expected we found that weak ties are more important than strong ties in organisational learning within strategic alliances

Learning in Strategic Technology Alliances

In this paper we examine the influence of strategic technology alliances on organisational learning. From an empirical perspective we examine the pre- and post-alliance knowledge bases of allying firms. We find that the pre-alliance knowledge base overlap of the allying firms has an inverted U-shaped relationship with the degree of learning taking place in the alliance. Alliances established for the purpose of learning also show a significantly greater increase in knowledge base overlap for the allying firms than for non-learning alliance or non-allying firms. This shows the particular importance of learning alliances as a vehicle for organisational learning and competence development. Contrary to what we expected we found that weak ties are more important than strong ties in organisational learning within strategic alliances

The spatial dimension of patenting by multinational firms in Europe

The present paper employs spatial econometrics techniques to discriminate empirically between various economically plausible spatial patterns of interregional knowledge spillovers between west German planning regions in the 1990s. In general, interregional spillovers are found to contribute significantly to regional knowledge production. Due to fairly high spatial transaction costs, however, only a small fraction of the knowledge available in neighboring regions actually spills over. Consequently, the absolute contribution of ‘foreign’ knowledge to a region's innovative performance is quite low. Moreover, only regions with low R&D density benefit from interregional spillovers. For regions with high R&D density they seem to be negligible. One reason for this may be some sort of self-sufficiency in the R&D centers where researchers may have fewer incentives to consult researchers in other regions. Another reason for this may be the dominance of unidirectional knowledge flows from technological leaders to followers