Innovation Clusters: Combining Physical and Virtual Links

Innovation is increasingly seen as a collective action which involves many different actors operating in a cluster context. These clusters are usually conceived as local agglomerations. In this paper it will be argued that they are an important tool to study innovation, but the globalisation of companies and markets and the specific requirements of innovation processes require the expansion of cluster concepts towards virtual dimensions. It will be shown that the combination of local and virtual cluster links improves access to essential resources in innovation. An examples taken from the automotive component sector will illustrate the concept.Innovation, cluster dynamics, automotive components.

Fibre-optic Networks: On Investment, Regulation and Competition

Telekommunikation, Lichtleiterkommunikation, Regulierung, Investition, Wettbewerb, Telecommunications, Optical fibre transmission, Regulation, Investment, Competition

Economic Convergence or Divergence in the EU? CEPS Commentary 4 October 2018

In preparation for the forthcoming annual conference of Intereconomics, three experts who will be speaking at the event will answer some of the core questions on the theme

21st European Regional ITS Conference

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. Switching costs increase the rigidity of consumers demand and lessen competition between firms, effects that are particularly relevant in the mobile voice services market. This paper characterizes the most important mobility restrictive factors for consumers in this market, presenting specific examples and discussing their impact on competition. In addition, a survey was conducted to obtain data on consumption decisions by mobile voice customers in Portugal. The survey results suggest that switching costs represent more than 13 euros or 57% of the average monthly expenditure with these services. The disclosure of a new mobile phone number is the most difficult task in the switching process. Customers also showed high concern with respect to the possibility of losing quality of service. Compatibility costs also impose high restrictions to customer mobility. Following the identification of these restrictive factors, the adoption by policy makers of remedies to address the different search and switching costs is discussed and their implementation prioritized according to mobile customers' needs. Terms of use: Documents in EconStor may JEL codes: D18, L51, L9

Analyse comparative de l'informatisation. Proposition pour un indicateur combiné

Drawing upon a study of German firms, the author proposes the formulation of a combined indicator for measuring the degree of informatization and telecommunication of a firm. This indicator comprises the static component (facilities or the stock of equipment), the dynamic component (related to investments), the intensity of use, and the " information occupation " represented by the number of employees with IT qualifications. The author also argues in favour of the incorporation of qualitative parameters.En partant d'une étude sur les entreprises allemandes, l'auteur propose l'élaboration d'un indicateur combiné permettant de mesurer le degré d'informatisation et de télécommunication. Les principales composantes de cet indicateur sont le statique (l'équipement ou le stock de matériels), le dynamique (lié à l'investissement), l'intensité d'utilisation et le « professionnalisme informatique » représentant le nombre de personnes qui possèdent dans l'entreprise des compétences informatiques et/ou télécommunicationnelles. L'auteur appelle in fine à une intégration de paramètres qualitatifs.Preissl Brigitte. Analyse comparative de l'informatisation. Proposition pour un indicateur combiné. In: Réseaux, volume 16, n°87, 1998. Les claviers. pp. 119-134