Technological Change at the Regional Level: The Role of Location, Firm Structure, and Strategy

1992 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 1565-1584 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Tödtling

Because of the increasing globalisation of the economy and reinforced competition, technological change has become an important factor in the restructuring process and in the competitive position of firms and regions. In this paper the author investigates to what extent the innovation process is differentiated across space and in particular how this process is shaped by the locational conditions as well as by the structures and strategies of firms in selected regions. To develop a framework for the analysis, contrasting views about the innovation process at the regional level are presented. In the traditional linear innovation model (product-cycle theory and innovation diffusion) relevant locational factors are stressed and an hierarchical pattern of innovation in space is arrived at. More recent approaches such as the evolutionary and network theories point to the relevance of historically evolved firm structures and strategies. The analysis of the Austrian case demonstrates that each of these models has a certain relevance. There was a pronounced differentiation of innovation across space, which was partly in line with the hierarchical model, such as a concentration of R&D and product innovation in the largest agglomerations. However, strong innovation activities, corresponding more with the evolutionary model, were in addition identified in newly industrialised or even in some of the peripheral rural areas. Structural and behavioural features of the firms, such as organisational characteristics (status, functions, and skills), the strategic orientation as well as network links, in addition to locational factors, were relevant for these patterns.

Author(s):  
Valerij N. Minat ◽  

Introduction. The subject of the research is public-private partnership (PPP), which contributes, through funding and incentives, to the spatial development of innovation in the United States. As an economic phenomenon, PPP is seen as an effective mechanism for integrating investors, business (primarily venture capital) and the state aimed at implementing the innovation process at the meso-spatial level – states and regions (subregions) of the United States – within the framework of regional innovation systems (RIS), contributing to territorial differentiation. Theoretical analysis reveals the factors and mechanisms of public-private interaction in the space of the corresponding RIS states and sub-regions of the country, characterized by the institutional and functional role of American forms of PPP in the implementation of innovative projects at the regional level. A hypothesis is formulated about the heterogeneity and unevenness of the united innovation space in the United States, one of the foundations of which is the differential nature of state financing of innovation activities at the regional level. Empirical analysis. A correlation is shown between indicative indicators reflecting the level of innovative potential and characterizing the innovative activity of the RIS of the states and subregions of the United States as a whole, on the one hand, and the degree of development of the innovative potential of PPP within the RIS of the corresponding territory, on the other hand. The carried out typological grouping of RIS states based on the lognormal distribution reflects the statistical commonality of the analyzed indicators. Results. Based on the available values of the indices characterizing the innovation activity of the RIS of specific states and subregions of the United States, as well as the calculation of integral indicators that make it possible to assess the interaction of PPP subjects, which are at the same time the institutional and functional elements of the corresponding RIS, a hypothetical statement about the unevenness of the US innovative development has been confirmed. In this case, the territorial differentiation of innovation in the United States and its impact on the spatial aspect of the development of an innovative economy, and, consequently, on economic growth, is determined by the intensity of the use of innovative potential by forms of PPP, which involves proactive financing and stimulation of innovative business projects at the expense of budgetary funds in the RIS of specific groups of states and sub-regions of the United States.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 02002
Author(s):  
Iveta Kmecová ◽  
Marek Vokoun

Innovative activities of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas and in Czech economy are relatively unexplored areas. Socioeconomic and environmental contributions of SMEs activities can be gained not only by means of ecological innovative activities of rural SMEs. Rural areas are also a suitable localization strategy for obtaining public money from subsidies, as there is no great direct competition and lower costs. SMEs economic contributions are irreplaceable both for urban and rural areas. Socioeconomic impact of ecological innovations for urban and rural areas is connected with the advantages of circular economy, such as reduced energy consumption, less pollution and waste, and well-organized product recycling options after use. The hypotheses are focused on the localization of businesses into rural areas, size of enterprises introducing innovations in the market, and ecological product and processes innovations. Estimation is based on 4 innovation phases as in the case of the general innovation business process. The 2014 data set is provided by the Czech Statistical Office contains the Community Innovation Survey. The results for 2014 indicate that localization does not affect the first phases of the innovation process, and that the innovative activities increase the costs of the R&D activities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 307-313
Author(s):  
Oleg Mariev ◽  
Andrey Pushkarev

Innovations are essential for international competitiveness. In this research study, we analyze factors that affect the involvement of Russian firms in the innovation process. Our objective is to find out which factors on a regional level are the most important for innovative activity, that would allow for improving the innovation policy. We overview the main groups of factors that were considered to be significantly affecting innovations. We then proceed to analyze the regional-level data, and classify the Russian regions into three groups based on set of their characteristics. Our results suggest that currently the most important external determinants of innovation propensity for the Russian regions are the share of organizations that carried out scientific research, FDI, appropriate infrastructure and the quality of human capital. It implies that the innovation policy should focus mainly on these indicators. We also found substantial differences between regional groups, both in significance of the considered indicators and in their power. Based on the results, we propose several policy recommendations that would facilitate innovation activities of the Russian regions


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyun Xu ◽  
Chao Wang ◽  
Kun Dong ◽  
Rui Luo ◽  
Zenghui Yue ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose This study aims at identifying potential industry-university-research collaboration (IURC) partners effectively and analyzes the conditions and dynamics in the IURC process based on innovation chain theory. Design/methodology/approach The method utilizes multisource data, combining bibliometric and econometrics analyses to capture the core network of the existing collaboration networks and institution competitiveness in the innovation chain. Furthermore, a new identification method is constructed that takes into account the law of scientific research cooperation and economic factors. Findings Empirical analysis of the genetic engineering vaccine field shows that through the distribution characteristics of creative technologies from different institutions, the analysis based on the innovation chain can identify the more complementary capacities among organizations. Research limitations In this study, the overall approach is shaped by the theoretical concept of an innovation chain, a linear innovation model with specific types or stages of innovation activities in each phase of the chain, and may, thus, overlook important feedback mechanisms in the innovation process. Practical implications Industry-university-research institution collaborations are extremely important in promoting the dissemination of innovative knowledge, enhancing the quality of innovation products, and facilitating the transformation of scientific achievements. Originality/value Compared to previous studies, this study emulates the real conditions of IURC. Thus, the rule of technological innovation can be better revealed, the potential partners of IURC can be identified more readily, and the conclusion has more value.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003072702110194
Author(s):  
E Ronner ◽  
J Sumberg ◽  
D Glover ◽  
KKE Descheemaeker ◽  
CJM Almekinders ◽  
...  

How to stimulate technological change to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce poverty remains an area of vigorous debate. In the face of heterogeneity among farm households and rural areas, one proposition is to offer potential users a ‘basket of options’ – a range of agricultural technologies from which potential users may select the ones that are best suited to their specific circumstances. While the idea of a basket of options is now generally accepted, it has attracted little critical attention. In this paper, we reflect on outstanding questions: the appropriate dimensions of a basket, its contents and how they are identified, and how a basket might be presented. We conceive a basket of options in terms of its depth (number of options related to a problem or opportunity) and breadth (the number of different problems or opportunities addressed). The dimensions of a basket should reflect the framing of the problem or opportunity at hand and the objective in offering the basket. We recognise that increasing the number of options leads to a trade-off by decreasing the fraction of those options that are relevant to an individual user. Farmers might try out, adapt or use one or more of the options in a basket, possibly leading to a process of technological change. We emphasise that the selection (or not) of specific options from the basket, and potential adaptation of the options, provide important opportunities for learning. Baskets of options can therefore be understood as important boundary concepts that invite critical engagement, comparison and discussion. Significant knowledge gaps remain, however, about the best ways to present the basket and to guide potential users to select the options that are most relevant to them.


Author(s):  
Tuuli-Marja Kleiner

Does civic participation lead to a large social network? This study claims that high levels of civic participation may obstruct individual social embeddedness. Using survey data from the German Survey on Volunteering (Deutscher Freiwilligensurvey; 1999–2009), this study conducts macro- as well as multi-level regressions to examine the link between civic participation and social embeddedness. Findings reveal that civic participation on the sub-national regional level is not generally associated with social embeddedness, but it affects the participants’ and non-participants’ possibilities for friendships differently. This holds especially true in urban areas, but the effect cannot be found in rural areas. The analysis has implications for further research to enhance the social embeddedness of the excluded.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuran Jin ◽  
Shoufeng Ji ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
Wei Wang

PurposeMore and more enterprises have realized the importance of business model innovation. However, the model tools for it are still scarce. There is a clear research gap in this academic field. Therefore, the aim of this study is to put forward a visual business model innovation model.Design/methodology/approachThe scientific literature clustering paradigm of grounded theory is used to design business model innovation theory model (BMITM). BMITM and the business model innovation options traced back from 870 labels in the grounded process are integrated into a unified framework to build the business model innovation canvas (BMIC).FindingsBMIC composed of three levels and seven modules is successfully developed. 145 business model innovation options are designed in BMIC. How to use BMIC is explained in detail. Through the analysis of innovation hotspots, the potential business model innovation directions can be found. A new business model of clothing enterprises using 3D printing is innovated with BMIC as an example.Research limitations/implicationsCompared with the previous tools, BMIC owns a clearer business model innovation framework and provides a problem-oriented business model innovation process and mechanism.Practical implicationsBMIC provides a systematic business model innovation solution set and roadmap for business model innovation practitioners.Originality/valueBMIC, a new tool for business model innovation is put forward for the first time. “Mass Selection Customization-Centralized Manufacturing” designed with BMIC for the clothing enterprises using 3D printing is put forward for the first time.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Kazuyuki Motohashi ◽  
Wentao Liu ◽  
Xu Zhang

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relevance of knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) to technology standard innovation (TSI) from a temporary-team perspective. The mediating and moderating effect on knowledge integration (KI) and leader–member exchange (LMX) is emphasized. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual model is built based on an exhaustive literature review and is empirically tested in terms of a sample of 341 Chinese individuals with TSI experience. Quantitative analysis was performed using a questionnaire with the bootstrapping method used to demonstrate the mediating effect of KI. Findings The empirical results of this study prove that KI mediates the relationship between KOL and TSI. The authors deduce that LMX moderates the positive relation between KOL and KI. Originality/value Few studies have investigated the innovation activities of technology standards from a temporary-team perspective. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to look into the underlying mechanism of KOL in TSI. This research deepens the analysis by introducing LMX’s moderating role in the innovation process of technology standards, thereby providing valuable insights for leaders of innovation activities of technology standards and illuminating new aspects of knowledge-intensive temporary-team management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29
Author(s):  
Ouelid Ouyeder ◽  
Julia Hitzbleck ◽  
Henning Trill

Abstract The aim of this paper is to introduce an end-to-end development process for non-biomedical innovation and new business models of a Life Science company that integrates different methods such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Agility and others within one framework. Since 2016 this innovation process is an essential part of the internal Employee Innovation program and proves its applicability in a real-life setting. Projects teams develop and implement their new digital business models successfully by taking the introduced innovation process as guideline. This process enables the Life Science organization to run two global entrepreneurship programs (Catalyst Fund and Catalyst Box) that foster customer focus with fast and evidence-based experimentation. The article encompasses a real-life case study out of the Catalyst Fund program about the Farm Advisory Team from India. By using this example each phase of the innovation process is described schematically. Idea generation is easy-to-apply, but the implementation of ideas is one of the biggest challenges in larger corporations. The proposed end-to-end innovation process connects the dots of different innovation methods and provides guidance to company decision makers and project teams in order to structure their business model innovation activities/strategy and discussions. Zusammenfassung Das Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, einen durchgängigen Innovationsprozess für nicht-biomedizinische Lösungen und Geschäftsmodelle eines Life-Science-Unternehmens vorzustellen, der verschiedene Methoden wie Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Agilität und andere innerhalb eines Gestaltungsrahmens integriert. Seit 2016 ist der Innovationsprozess ist ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des internen Employee Innovation Programms und beweist seine Anwendbarkeit in einem realen Umfeld. Projektteams entwickeln und implementieren ihre neuen digitalen Geschäftsmodelle erfolgreich, indem sie den vorgestellten Innovationsprozess als Leitfaden nutzen. Dieser Prozess ermöglicht es dem Life-Science-Unternehmen, zwei globale Entrepreneurship-Programme (Catalyst Fund und Catalyst Box) durchzuführen, die den Kundenfokus mit schnellen und evidenzbasierten Experimenten fördern. Der Artikel umfasst eine reale Fallstudie aus dem Catalyst Fund Programm über das Farm Advisory Team aus Indien. Anhand dieses Beispiels wird jede Phase des Innovationsprozesses schematisch beschrieben. Die Ideengenerierung ist leicht anwendbar, aber die Umsetzung von Ideen ist eine der größten Herausforderungen in größeren Unternehmen. Der vorgeschlagene End-to-End-Innovationsprozess integriert die verschiedenen Innovationsmethoden und bietet Entscheidungsträgern und Projektteams in Unternehmen eine Anleitung, um ihre Aktivitäten bzw. Strategie und Diskussionen zur Geschäftsmodellinnovation zu strukturieren.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Barjak ◽  
Fabian Heimsch

PurposeThe relationship between corporate culture and inbound open innovation (OI) has been limited to two sub-constructs: a culture for openness and an innovation culture, but until now a richer conceptualization of corporate culture is missing.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply Quinn and Rohrbaugh's (1983) competing values framework and regress these together with company internal and external control variables on five measures of inbound OI, reflecting product innovation, process innovation and the sourcing of innovation activities. The authors use data from a survey of more than 250 Swiss companies, primarily SMEs.FindingsThe importance of the firms' market environments suggests that the results are affected by the specific situation in which the firms found themselves at the time of the survey: after a strong currency shock, inbound OI activities seem to be a reaction to external pressure that favored planning and rule-oriented (formal) cultures to implement cost-cutting process innovations.Practical implicationsCompanies should develop a vision and a strategy, ensure open and transparent communication, have suitable reward and support mechanisms in place, adjust structures and processes, and institutionalize and formalize any change whenever they are confronted with a situation that requires a quick reaction and an adjustment to their degree of openness.Originality/valueThe paper clarifies the relationship between cultural traits and inbound OI, using a well-established understanding of corporate culture and differentiating between innovation types. It points to the importance of the external environment in order to understand the role of culture.


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