The emergence of new technologies in the ICT field: main actors, geographical distribution and knowledge sources

This paper examines the emergence of technologies, applications and platforms in the area of information and communication technologies (ITC), using patent data. It detects new technologies/applications/products using patents' abstracts and describes them looking at their degree of "hybridisation", in terms of technological domains and knowledge base, at the role of firms in driving the innovation activity, and at the geographical distribution of the innovation. The results show that in emerging technologies in ITC are more concentrated across technological classes and across firms than non emerging ones, and that this pattern is invariant across major countries. Furthermore, a preliminary analysis on patent citations show that in emerging technologies knowledge sources are more specific in terms of technological classes and more dispersed in terms of cited institutions. Also there is evidence of a role for universities and public research centres as sources of knowledge

Vertical Integration and Dis-integration of Computer Firms: A History Friendly Model of the Co-evolution of the Computer and Semiconductor Industries

In this paper we present a history-friendly model of the changing vertical scope of computer firms during the evolution of the computer and semiconductor industries. The model is "history friendly", in that it attempts at replicating some basic, stylized qualitative features of the evolution of vertical integration on the basis of the causal mechanisms and processes which we believe can explain the history. The specific question addressed in the model is set in the context of dynamic and uncertain technological and market environments, characterized by periods of technological revolutions punctuating periods of relative technological stability and smooth technical progress. The model illustrates how the patterns of vertical integration and specialization in the computer industry change as a function of the evolving levels and distribution of firms' capabilities over time and how they depend on the co-evolution of the upstream and downstream sectors. Specific conditions in each of these markets - the size of the external market, the magnitude of the technological discontinuities, the lock-in effects in demand - exert critical effects and feedbacks on market structure and on the vertical scope of firms as time goes by

Innovation and Knowledge Spillovers: Evidence from European Data

This paper analyses the relative effects of national, international, sectoral and intersectoral spillovers on innovative activity in six large, industrialized countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and US) over the period 1981-1995. This is done controlling for firm level effects and accounting for spillovers from universities and public institutions. We use patent applications at the European Patent Office to measure innovation and their citations to trace knowledge flows within and across 135 narrowly defined technological classes. We find that international spillovers are an important determinant of innovation and mostly occur within narrowly defined technological classes. Firm level effects are particularly noteworthy at the national level while we do not find evidence of spillovers from public institutions. Finally some important sectoral differences emerge.R&D spillovers, Knowledge flows, Patent citations.

Knowledge-intensive innovative entrepreneurship integrating Schumpeter, evolutionary economics, and innovation systems

This article proposes a novel conceptualization of knowledge-intensive innovative entrepreneurship, which can capture the main characteristics of a vital phenomenon in the modern economy. Our conceptualization is based upon the integration of Schumpeterian entrepreneurship, evolutionary economics, and innovation systems approach. It consists of a theoretical definition and a stylized process model. According to this view, knowledge-intensive innovative entrepreneurs are involved in the creation, diffusion, and use of knowledge; introduce new products and technologies; draw resources and ideas from their innovation system; and introduce change and dynamism into the economy. In the article, we also offer an empirical definition of knowledge-intensive innovative entrepreneurship, which we then use to identify its key characteristics and relevance. We conclude with recommendations for a future research agenda

Demand-led catch-up: a history-friendly model of latecomer development in the global green economy

This article examines the role played by demand in catching up and in leadership changes in green industries, motivated by the belief that demand-led catch-up is a prevalent pathway in such industries. The article first examines stylized cases of sectoral green catch-up by China in which the local market and domestic demand played an important role before the sector started expanding globally. In particular, the focus is on three industries: wind, biomass and hydropower. Then, it uses a history-friendly model to study the effects of a major increase in domestic demand (a "demand window") in a green industry. The baseline simulation first examines the effects of a demand window in promoting learning and capability building by latecomers and in triggering a catch-up process. Then, the counterfactual simulations show that (i) a technological discontinuity which takes place after the demand window could reduce the effectiveness of the demand window in the catch-up process; (ii) the specific timing of the demand window could significantly alter the dynamic patterns of catch-up; (iii) protectionism is a necessary condition for the demand window to have its effect; and (iv) regimes of slow capability accumulation could turn out to be beneficial for the latecomer when a technological discontinuity follows the demand window. These results can help policymakers in identifying key conditions related to demand-led catch-up strategies

High tecnology and the evolution of the italian industrial system.

This paper analyses the Italian industrial dynamics, both at the sectorial and at the corporate level. It also examines the evolution of particular firms or projects, determining what different experiences have in common, in order to draw general conclusions on the performances of the Italian system in high-tech sectors (informatics, microelectronics, biotechnologies, nuclear and chemical industry). The situation emerging from this study is a very complex one, presenting situations already compromised along with cases in which the possibility of recovery and of entering the international markets exists.

Cellular automata approach to durability analysis of concrete structures in aggressive environments

This paper presents a novel approach to the problem of durability analysis and lifetime assessment of concrete structures under the diffusive attack from external aggressive agents. The proposed formulation mainly refers to beams and frames, but it can be easily extended also to other types of structures. The diffusion process is modeled by using cellular automata. The mechanical damage coupled to diffusion is evaluated by introducing suitable material degradation laws. Since the rate of mass diffusion usually depends on the stress state, the interaction between the diffusion process and the mechanical behavior of the damaged structure is also taken into account by a proper modeling of the stochastic effects in the mass transfer. To this aim, the nonlinear structural analyses during time are performed within the framework of the finite element method by means of a deteriorating reinforced concrete beam element. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology in handling complex geometrical and mechanical boundary conditions is demonstrated through some applications. Firstly, a reinforced concrete box girder cross section is considered and the damaging process is described by the corresponding evolution of both bending moment-curvature diagrams and axial force-bending moment resistance domains. Secondly, the durability analysis of a reinforced concrete continuous T-beam is developed. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to the analysis of an existing arch bridge and to the identification of its critical members