Do Inter-sectoral Linkages Matter for International Export Specialisation?

This paper basically adopts a ‘technology gap’ approach for explaining international export specialisation. Within this broad label there has been one tradition which has applied cumulativeness in technological change as an explanation, while another tradition has emphasised the role of inter-sectoral linkages (the so-called home market effect) in this context. However, given that the sources of innovation (inducements mechanisms) differ between firms according to principal sector of activity, different variables should not be expected to be of equal importance across industrial sectors. Thus, using the Pavitt taxonomy as a starting point, the paper statistically investigates the importance of variables reflecting different inducement mechanisms, across 9 OECD countries. The paper concludes that the two types of technological activities, namely technological activities in the ‘own’ sector, and inter-sectoral linkages are both important in the determination of national export specialisation patterns. However, the importance differ according to the mode of innovation in each type of sector.international export specialisation, patent data, input-output analysis, inter-sectoral li

Finance and Innovation System or Chaos

The present paper discusses an important part of the framework conditions for innovation in a number of European countries (France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom) as well Japan and the United States through a comparison of the development of the financial systems in these countries. The main focus is whether a convergence can be observed between what is traditionally perceived as market based and credit based systems respectively. Based on quantitative statistics it is concluded that a convergence has taken place, and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to divide national financial systems into two main categories based on quantitative data alone. But differences still remain, and the paper continues by discussing reasons for convergence and divergence respectively. These reasons include internationalization, differences in industrial structure, as well as changes in national and international regulation. Before turning to a discussion of the policy perspectives of the observed development the paper discusses the financial systems ability to finance different types of transactions.Financial systems; innovation financing; economic integration and convergence

Systemic Innovation in a Distributed Network Paradox or Pinnacle?

Previous research has suggested that there is a dichotomy of organisational practices: companies involved in autonomous or modularised innovations, it is argued, benefit from decentralised approaches where coordination primarily takes place through the marketplace, whereas the benefits of systemic innovation are said to be appropriated best by centralised organisations. However, case studies of subcontractors to the Danish wind turbine industry suggest that the ability to meet heterogeneous demands plays an important role for the success of different forms of organisational practices in relation to innovation. The modularised versus systemic architecture approach therefore appears to be a too sweeping dichotomy for describing what can better be perceived as an array of different practices for balancing innovation contribution with the ability of individual firms to appropriate innovation benefits – and a heterogeneous market perception is a core element in building and sustaining this ability.Organisational Forms, Innovation System, Knowledge Complementarities, Value Appropriation

Studies of Clusters as a Basis for Industrial and Technology Policy in the Danish Economy

The main focus of the paper is on the recent development of clusters defined as “resource areas”. The concept has been a cornerstone in the technology and industrial policies laid out from the Danish Ministry of Business and Industry, since 1993. Earlier studies (industrial complexes) identified clusters using transactions, often in an input-output framework, while the present clusters are to a larger degree based upon a demand perspective. The paper firstly describes and assess the earlier industrial complex studies, and other related case studies of clusters of particular positions of strength in the Danish economy. The industrial complexes and micro-founded studies of Danish clusters, have all been either a direct input, or a reference point when developing the resource areas. However, the most direct influence have been the Danish Porter studies. Denmark participated as one of ten countries in M. E. Porter’s analysis of clusters of competitive advantages. Accordingly, the Danish Porter studies are summarised. In continuation hereof, the development of the methodology applied for developing the resource areas, is discussed in a historical perspective. Furthermore, different techniques for identifying industrial clusters are considered, including input-output approaches. Finally, the paper warns that theoretically based studies and practical policy actions do not always combine easily. Striking a balance between allowing for pragmatic policy making (with more than a single aim) on the one side, while not losing the theoretical foundation on the other, is an important task.Cluster based policies; industrial complexes; resource areas, innovative clusters

Exploring determinants of firms’ collaboration with specific universities:Employee-driven relations and geographical proximity

<p>Exploring determinants of firms’ collaboration with specific universities: employee-driven relations and geographical proximity. <i>Regional Studies</i>. This analysis of the determinants of firms’ collaboration on innovation with specific universities assesses both the separate and the overlapping importance of geographical proximity and employee-driven relations for collaboration. It is argued that social, cognitive and functional dimensions of employee-driven relations can help firms to overcome geographical distance. Based on a sample of 2301 innovative firms in Denmark, the study demonstrates that employee-driven relations (measured by employees’ and top managers’ place of education and scientific discipline) strongly influence the likelihood that firms will collaborate with specific universities. The study confirms the existence of separate and overlapping effects of employee-driven relations and geographical proximity.</p