Knowledge spillovers within regional networks of innovation and the contribution made by public research

Usually, analyses of knowledge spillovers, if not relying on aggregated data, are based either on surveys conducted with enterprises or on surveys conducted with research establishments. Comparative case studies on micro level that include both groups are rather the exception. Therefore the knowledge transfer mostly can be illustrated just for one of these groups. Moreover knowledge and information rarely are differentiated. The set of data used in this paper allows to overcome these weaknesses. Based on 23 innovation networks located in the eastern part of Germany, the knowledge and information transfer between almost 700 participants, which interacted during a period of 5 years, can be observed. Following the pattern of regional systems of innovation (RIS) within the dataset the distinction of certain groups of participants is arranged (e.g. manufacturing enterprises, service enterprises, universities, non-university research establishments). Their uniform and common reference system - the respective regional innovation network – can be seen as additional quality of the data. The first part of the paper focuses on the determinants of knowledge spillovers within these innovation networks. It is analyzed, in what respect the co-operation experiences and in particular the network experience of the participants have a relevance regarding the knowledge transfer. Beyond that it is examined whether network characteristics (e.g. the coherence of the network on the whole; strength of ties in detail) affect the knowledge transfer. It is also examined whether intensive contacts affect only the transfer of knowledge, or whether the intensity of contact equally shape the information flow. Finally it is analysed, if division of labour is connected with the range of knowledge transfer. In the second part of the paper empirical results are presented that demonstrate the central role played by public research institutions in the process of knowledge transfer. The results indicate that universities are adding most information and most knowledge within the networked process of innovation. The winners of knowledge exchange – considering absolute as well as relative profits – are the manufacturing enterprises. Further the results confirm the assumption that public research holds an “antenna function” (boundary spanning function) for the enterprises due to its integration into the international science community.

Who are the knowledge brokers in regional systems of innovation? A multi-actor network analysis

The discussion on regional innovation systems emphasizes the duality of local and global links. Our empirical analysis of 18 German regional innovation networks shows that public research organizations, especially universities, are profoundly involved in knowledge exchange processes and possess more central (broker) positions within their regional innovation networks than private firms. This results, in part, from public research's gatekeeper function which can be particularly important in lagging regions that typically suffer from a lack of large firms which often fill this role in advanced regions. The transferred knowledge is absorbed, especially, by private firms without interregional R&D cooperation activity.Der Ansatz der regionalen Innovationssysteme betont die Bedeutung der Dualität globaler und lokaler Austauschbeziehungen für Innovationsprozesse. Unsere empirische Analyse von 18 regionalen Innovationsnetzwerken in Deutschland zeigt, dass öffentliche Forschungseinrichtungen - insbesondere Universitäten - intensiv in die Wissensaustauschprozesse dieser Netzwerke involviert sind und mehr zentrale (Wissensvermittler-)Positionen einnehmen als die in den untersuchten Netzwerken vertretenen Unternehmen. Dies resultiert zum Teil daraus, dass die öffentliche Forschung in Regionen mit Entwicklungsrückstand eine "Gatekeeper-Funktion" wahrnimmt, welche in besser entwickelten Regionen typischerweise größeren Unternehmen zukommt. Das in das Netzwerk eingespeiste Wissen wird insbesondere von denjenigen Unternehmen absorbiert, die über keine eigenen regionsexternen FuE-Partnerschaften verfügen

The role of a firm's absorptive capacity and the technology transfer process in clusters: How effective are technology centres in low-tech clusters?

This paper analyses how the internal resources of small- and medium-sized enterprises determine access (learning processes) to technology centres (TCs) or industrial research institutes (innovation infrastructure) in traditional low-tech clusters. These interactions basically represent traded (market-based) transactions, which constitute important sources of knowledge in clusters. The paper addresses the role of TCs in low-tech clusters, and uses semi-structured interviews with 80 firms in a manufacturing cluster. The results point out that producer–user interactions are the most frequent; thus, the higher the sector knowledge-intensive base, the more likely the utilization of the available research infrastructure becomes. Conversely, the sectors with less knowledge-intensive structures, i.e. less absorptive capacity (AC), present weak linkages to TCs, as they frequently prefer to interact with suppliers, who act as transceivers of knowledge. Therefore, not all the firms in a cluster can fully exploit the available research infrastructure, and their AC moderates this engagement. In addition, the existence of TCs is not sufficient since the active role of a firm's search strategies to undertake interactions and conduct openness to available sources of knowledge is also needed. The study has implications for policymakers and academia

University-industry links and the determinants of their spatial scope : a study of the knowledge intensive business services sector

This paper examines the determinants of the spatial scope of collaborative linkages between Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) firms and universities in the UK. Drawing on data on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), it is found that the geographic scope of these linkages is determined by a complex mix of the particular characteristics of firms and universities, as the well the location of the firms. In particular, proximity increases with the participation of smaller firms, and firms located within areas with higher densities of KIBS employment. In contrast, the participation of larger firms or a university with greater levels of research activity increases the geographic scope of a linkage

Die Innovationskraft der Unternehmen in Nordhessen

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Who are the brokers of knowledge in regional systems of innovation? A multi-actor network analysis

The discussion on regional innovation systems emphasizes the duality of local and global links. While the former enable effective knowledge exchange between regional actors, the latter are considered to provide regional systems with knowledge diverse to their knowledge base. Our empirical analysis of 18 German regional innovation networks highlights the importance of public research organizations for inter-regional knowledge exchange. The broker and gatekeeper function of public research organizations may be particularly important in lagging regions that typically suffer from a lack of large firms who often assume the role of "gatekeepers of knowledge".Regional systems of innovation, innovation networks, knowledge broker, gatekeeper

The impact of network structure on knowledge transfer: An application of social network analysis in the context of regional innovation networks

We analyze information and knowledge transfer in a sample of 16 German regional innovation networks with almost 300 firms and research organizations involved. The results indicate that strong ties are more beneficial for the exchange of knowledge and information than weak ties. Moreover, our results suggest that broker positions tend to be associated with social returns rather than with private benefits.Regional innovation networks, R+D-collaboration, knowledge exchange, social network analysis, strong ties, knowledge brokers

Knowledge and information networks in an Italian wine cluster

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