Spatial patterns of adoption of just-in-time manufacturing

We study the spatial pattern of Just-in-Time (JIT) adoption for a sample of medium-sized and large Spanish manufacturing firms. JIT differs from other advanced manufacturing technologies because it relates directly to the spatial coordination of a firms’ internal production organisation with its external productive environment and depends on the quality of the transport system. Our results confirm the distinctive role of location for JIT adoption even after controlling for industry and plant-specific differences. We find that JIT adoption is greater in smaller cities but with higher transport accessibility indicating that urban congestion in larger urban areas likely reduces the benefits that firms may obtain from JIT implementation.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELDS AND CONCENTRATION OF INNOVATION AMONG FOOD AND BEVERAGE MULTINATIONALS

With a sample of nearly 18,611 utility patents, this paper studies the technology mix of 90 of the world's leading food and beverage multinationals (FBMs) over 1969-1994. It explores the statistical association between patenting in food technology and in non-food technological fields. Food patenting is always associated with patenting in Biotech, Chemistry, Machinery and Other patenting, whatever the home country of the company. The strength of the association, however, could vary. Herfindahl indices show that capabilities in core technology and in Machinery and Other fields are spread among many FBMs. Though to a lesser extent, technical capabilities in Biotechnology, Packaging and Refrigeration are also dispersed. By contrast, patenting in Tobacco, Chemistry and Drugs is concentrated.Agribusiness, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Cultural distance and internationalization. The world’s largest food and drink multinationals

The final version of this paper was published by “Agribusiness. An International Journal “, vol 27 (4), 2011. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/agr.20283/abstractThis paper analyses the expansion of the world’s largest food and beverage multinational enterprises (hereafter, F&B MNEs) over 1996-2002 using a database that provides detailed information on the location and activities of more than 8,000 affiliates. The research provides abundant empirical support to the view that F&B MNEs operate on a worldwide scale and although their share of foreign to total affiliates is lower than in the average MNE they have a wide country spread. The great physical dispersion of the F&B MNEs’ assets, however, does not necessarily imply expansion to cultural distant areas. World’s leaders in this industry are more likely to expand their operations to countries that display cultural characteristics similar to those of the home-country. We observe differences concerning cultural distance among different companies. Western F&B MNEs seem more culturally rooted than Japanese ones, probably owing to differences in the product-mix and the activities developed by the companies. A comparison of 1996, 2000 and 2002 data shows that F&B MNEs are gradually expanding to increasingly unfamiliar environments. Complementary analysis of 3,507 M&A operations involving the sampled MNEs between 1987 and 2003 confirms these findings.Peer reviewe

An exploratory analysis of networking, R&D and innovativeness in the Spanish electronics sector

Using survey data of electronics firms in the three major electronics clusters in Spain, we examine whether those engaged in networking tend to be more innovative and whether local and extra-regional networking have different effects upon innovativeness. We find a positive relation between different types of network relations and innovativeness. In particular, our findings suggest that subcontracting relationships are a way of exchanging technological know-how and are a potentially important element in the innovation process. With regard to the spatial extent of network relations, we find only weak results for differences between local and extra-regional networking.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Social and Economic Council of the Community of Madrid, as well as support from grants SEC97-1373 (CICYT) and 06/0092/1997 provided by the Community of Madrid.Peer reviewe

Determinantes de la cooperación para innovación en manufacturas TIC

En este trabajo utilizamos datos de la muestra PITEC para analizar la cooperación (fuera del grupo) para la innovación realizada en España por las industrias manufactureras TIC (CNAE 30, 32 y 33; unas 2.000 observaciones para 2004-2008). Buscamos detectar los aspectos con más incidencia en la probabilidad de cooperar o no así como la posible existencia de diferencias por dinamismo tecnológico internacional o por características de la empresa. Centramos nuestra atención en la intensidad (respecto a la media de la industria CNAE en que opera la empresa) en gastos y actividades innovadoras, en personal dedicado a la I+D, en esfuerzo interno (fondos propios destinados a actividades innovadoras e importancia de las fuentes internas como recurso para la innovación) y controlamos por ciertos aspectos estructurales como el tamaño (cifra de ventas), el mercado objetivo, las exportaciones y el resultado innovador (porcentaje de productos nuevos en la cifra de ventas). Encontramos mayor propensión a cooperar entre empresas con esfuerzos en actividades de innovación y personal en I+D por encima de la media de la industria. Las empresas individuales cooperan más si intentan acceder al mercado europeo y son capaces de complementar la cooperación con el recurso a fuentes internas para la cooperación. También hay efecto favorable de la intensidad innovadora sobre la cooperación en grupos nacionales en sectores tecnológicamente dinámicos (vinculados a la informática, CNAE 30 y 32); en estas industrias la cooperación por parte de filiales de EMN depende favorablemente de los fondos propios. En la industria de instrumentos ópticos (menos dinámica tecnológicamente) cobra especial atención la vocación innovadora y la dimensión de mercado de las empresas; además, la cooperación es una forma de superar las dificultades económicas para la innovación. Los fondos propios son complementarios a la cooperación en industrias dinámicas y sustitutivos en las no dinámicasWe use data from PITEC sample to analyse domestic cooperation (outside the business group) for innovation performed by ICT manufacturing industries (CNAE 30, 32 and 33, around 2,000 obs. for 2004-2008). We focus on factors that impact on the probability to cooperate or not and on the possible existence of differences by international technological dynamism. Our interest variables are intensity (as compared with CNAE industry average in which firm operates) in expenses and innovative activities, personnel dedicated to R & D, internal effort (own funds for innovative activities and importance of internal sources as a resource for innovation) and certain structural aspects such as size (sales), target market, exports and innovative output (percentage of new products over sales). Overall, we found that domestic cooperation is more likely among companies that maintain both an effort in innovation activities and R&D personnel above the average for the industry in which they operate. Individual companies cooperate more if they try to enter the European market and if they are able to complement cooperation with the use of internal sources for innovation). There also is a positive effect of innovative intensity on cooperation for national groups in technologically dynamic sectors (related to information technology, NACE 30 and 32); in these industries cooperation by subsidiaries of MNEs depends positively on the existence of own resources devoted to innovation. In the optical industry (less technologically dynamic) the innovative vocation of firms and the size of their market target is particularly relevant; on the other hand, cooperation is a way to overcome economic difficulties for innovation. Own resources are complementary to cooperation in technologically dynamic sectors and substitutive in non-dynamic

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Strength Awareness Scale in a Sample of Indonesian Female Leaders

This study aimed to test psychometric properties of strength use scale (SUS) as a unidimensional concept with 14 question items on a sample of female leaders who work in two manufacturing companies. The investigation, the subjects used consisted of 521 females in management positions at various levels. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied to analyze the factor validity of the unidimensional SUS consisting of 14 items. Additionally, Indonesian version of SUS was validated using a confirmation approach. In line with previous studies, the analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale, which measures a singular strength through factors. The demands on internal consistency, composite reliability, and convergent validity were met. The results showed that Indonesian version of SUS is comparable to the original English version, representing a valid and reliable measure of strength used in Indonesian. Therefore, future studies should consider adding subjects with different sociodemographic backgrounds

Are “the best” foreign subsidiaries cooperating for innovation with local partners? The case of an intermediate country

We analyse, over 2004-2008, a sample of firms representative of Spanish manufacturing industry, in order to understand the relationship between foreign status and local cooperation for innovation. More specifically, we focus on foreign subsidiaries displaying innovation intensity, newness of technology or ability to build complex networks with local innovators. Foreign status increases the probability of local cooperation for innovation. However, foreign subsidiaries displaying the abovementioned characteristics are not necessarily more prone to cooperate locally for innovation than similar affiliated domestic firms. FS are able to build complex cooperative networks with local partners but multi cooperative FS are not especially interested in fast changing sectors. In contrast to cooperative affiliated domestic firms, the distribution of cooperative FS tends to be even across sectors and this is confirmed for advanced FS. This suggests that FS look for general capabilities in local partnerships, rather than for specific expertise. The strategies of domestic affiliated firms seem to influence the relationship between foreign status and local cooperation for innovation

Spatial patterns of adoption of just-in-time manufacturing

In this paper we study the spatial pattern of Just-in-Time (JIT) adoption for a sample of medium-sized and large Spanish manufacturing firms. The recent literature has shown that location plays a significant role in the adoption of advanced technologies. We argue that the particular role location characteristics play for technology adoption depends on the type of technology. JIT differs from other advanced manufacturing technologies because it relates directly to the spatial coordination of a firms’ internal production organisation with its external productive environment and depends on the quality of the transport system. Our results confirm the distinctive role of location for JIT adoption even after controlling for industry and plant-specific differences. We find that JIT adoption is greater in smaller cities but with higher accessibility indicating that urban congestion in larger urban areas likely reduces the benefits that firms may obtain from JIT implementation.Financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación [ECO2010-17485], CSIC [200910I105] and Fundación BBVA is gratefully acknowledged.Peer reviewe

Technological Transfer Channels of Food and Beverage Processing Multinationals to Host Countries: An Empirical Analysis

Purpose. This research examines the possibility of food and beverage (F&B)-processing multinational corporations serving as a viable conduit for the international diffusion of technology. Methodology. This study utilizes existing literature to analyse three potential avenues through which technology transfer occurs from these corporations to host sectors: contract farming, domestic collaboration for innovation, and spillover effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Findings. In specific instances, these firms might provide support to local innovators through financial assistance or complementary resources. Additionally, they may actively facilitate technology transfers to particular types of local partners and they may generate demonstration effects. Nevertheless, the prevailing evidence consistently indicates that the impact of FDI on the host sector is generally limited or selective. Practical implications. The findings of this study cast doubt on the overly optimistic views held by international organizations and host governments regarding FDI in the food sector as a major source of cutting-edge technology for host countries. The incentives offered to food and beverage multinationals should be carefully calibrated to strike a balance between acknowledging potential benefits to the sector's innovation system and maintaining a realistic perspective on the actual outcomes. Originality. This study combines and analyses three separate empirical lines of research in parallel to offer factual elements for a policy debate. By integrating these different research approaches, the study aims to contribute to a well-informed discussion on relevant policy matters

Local cooperation for innovation. Food and beverage multinationals in a peripheral European country

We performed econometric analysis to identify some of the main features of food and beverage foreign subsidiaries engaged in local R&D cooperation. In Spain, their main contributions to local networks of innovators seem to be financial and commercial rather than technological. Foreign subsidiaries that display high R&D intensity, and have a large number of R&D employees or a large share of new products in turnover, are not necessarily engaged in local R&D networks. Foreign subsidiaries facing fewer obstacles to innovation than the average food and beverage firm seem better able to build those networks. The most important features of food and beverage multinationals that cooperate for innovation with local partners are those of economic strength and dominant market position. Foreign subsidiaries appear to combine internal and external information in order to innovate. Their size or their export activities are not significantly associated with a possible involvement in local cooperation for innovation.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain), and European Union ERDF funds