Knowledge Sources of Innovation in a Small, Open Economy: The Case of Singapore

Abstract

By tracing the flows of patent citation of prior patents and scientific journal articles, we investigate the sources of knowledge for innovation output in Singapore, a small, highly open economy that has traditionally been significantly dependent on foreign multinational corporations (MNCs). We found that the local production of new knowledge by indigenous Singaporean firms depends disproportionately on technological knowledge produced by MNCs with operational presence in Singapore and scientific knowledge generated by foreign universities. Locally produced new knowledge by indigenous firms and local universities constitute an insignificant, albeit rapidly growing, source for innovation in Singapore.innovation system, patent citation, Singapore, knowledge sources