Cluster-Based Technology Policy—The German Experience

The German Federal Government has undertaken a series of particularly interesting policy experiments in the field of technology policy in recent years, a major policy innovation being the explicit recognition of regional clustering aspects in federal support programmes. The paper provides a categorization and assessment of these policy experiments and tries to shed some new light on two fundamental policy questions that are important beyond the German context: (i) can clusters be built by national government policy action? and (ii) is regionalization of technology policy a suitable means of achieving goals at the national level? We find that utilizing the regional level to boost national innovation and competitiveness can—under certain conditions explicated in the paper—indeed be seen as a promising means of achieving national goals. More specifically, we find that InnoRegio type programmes might be particularly useful in regions with distinctive structural problems such as the Central and Eastern European countries, whereas BioRegio type models might be a suitable means of policy‐making at the level of the European Union.     

The Regional Dimension of Knowledge Transfers—A Behavioral Approach

Innovations are inherently connected to knowledge transfers. The need of face-to-face contacts to transfer tacit knowledge is commonly argued to cause a regional dimension of innovative activities. The paper presents an alternative explanation based on a model of boundedly rational actors who search for knowledge. It is shown that a regional dimension exists in these processes that results from a regional bias in an actor's search activities. Social embeddedness, a shared regional identity and limited spatial mobility foster this bias. We argue that insights from research on these topics can help to define the geographic size of a region.     

External Knowledge and Innovation Performance in Clusters: Empirical Evidence from the Uruguay Software Cluster

The importance of geographic proximity for innovation has been widely stressed in the cluster literature. Yet, new insights from the inter-organisational network and cluster literatures underline the role of non-local linkages in enabling firms in networks to enhance learning and to innovate. This paper contributes to this literature by examining the importance of local and non-local knowledge networks for the innovation performance of firms in clusters. Our analysis is based on primary data from a survey of 95 software firms clustered in Montevideo, Uruguay. The results highlight that the most innovative firms in clusters heavily rely on non-local knowledge networks. Moreover, the number of indirect local ties to other firms is a better predictor of innovative performance than the number of direct local ties. Finally, our findings confirm the presence of knowledge gatekeepers in clusters and emphasise their role in enhancing innovation in clusters by absorbing knowledge from extra-cluster sources and diffusing it to other local firms.     

Leveraging Lead User Knowledge in Software Development—The Case of Weblog Technology

Firms increasingly rely upon information technology (IT) to manage organizational knowledge, though this does not inevitably result in increased knowledge sharing. In contrast, we know that in the case of non-commercial open software development, IT plays a central role in knowledge sharing between software developers. This paper acknowledges the impact of a blogosphere—a system of connected weblogs (i.e. personalized and informal publications on the Internet in reverse chronological order)—on the motivation of lead users to develop commercial software together with the employees of a large for-profit organization. On the basis of multi-method data, collected over a 28-month period, our results indicate parallels to the field of open source software: we argue that weblog technology and its features evoke intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to engage in knowledge sharing within a commercial software development project.     

Comparing a Pharmaceutical and an Agro-food Bioregion: On the Importance of Knowledge Bases for Socio-spatial Patterns of Innovation

The aim of this paper is to compare the socio-spatial patterns of innovation and knowledge linkages of a biopharmaceutical and an agro-food biotech cluster. Dissimilarities can be expected based on differences in terms of historical technological regimes and sectoral innovation system dynamics between the agro-food and pharmaceutical industries in general and particularly the distinctive analytical (science-based) knowledge base of biopharmaceuticals in contrast with the more synthetic (engineering-based) knowledge base of agro-food biotechnology. Drawing on bibliometric data and case material the study compares two representative bioregions: a biopharmaceutical cluster in Scania, Sweden and an agro-food biotech cluster in Saskatoon, Canada. The empirical study supports the theoretical expectations and shows that knowledge dynamics in the agro-food cluster are more localized than in the biopharmaceuticals cluster. It is important, however, to acknowledge that these differences are relative. Both sectors display local and non-local patterns of collaboration following the general pattern for biotechnology.     

Local Nodes in Global Networks: The Geography of Knowledge Flows in Biotechnology Innovation

The literature on innovation and interactive learning has tended to emphasize the importance of local networks, inter-firm collaboration and knowledge flows as the principal source of technological dynamism. More recently, however, this view has come to be challenged by other perspectives that argue for the importance of non-local knowledge flows. According to this alternative approach, truly dynamic economic regions are characterized both by dense local social interaction and knowledge circulation, as well as strong inter-regional and international connections to outside knowledge sources and partners. This paper offers an empirical examination of these issues by examining the geography of knowledge flows associated with innovation in biotechnology. We begin by reviewing the growing literature on the nature and geography of innovation in biotechnology research and the commercialization process. Then, focusing on the Canadian biotech industry, we examine the determinants of innovation (measured through patenting activity), paying particular attention to internal resources and capabilities of the firm, as well as local and global flows of knowledge and capital. Our study is based on the analysis of Statistics Canada's 1999 Survey of Biotechnology Use and Development, which covers 358 core biotechnology firms. Our findings highlight the importance of in-house technological capability and absorptive capacity as determinants of successful innovation in biotechnology firms. Furthermore, our results document the precise ways in which knowledge circulates, in both embodied and disembodied forms, both locally and globally. We also highlight the role of formal intellectual property transactions (domestic and international) in promoting knowledge flows. Although we document the importance of global networks in our findings, our results also reveal the value of local networks and specific forms of embedding. Local relational linkages are especially important when raising capital—and the expertise that comes with it—to support innovation. Nevertheless, our empirical results raise some troubling questions about the alleged pre-eminence of the local in fostering innovation.     

Collaborative Public Space in a National Innovation System: A Case Study of the Israeli Military's Impact on the Software Industry

Both systems of innovation and cluster theories emphasize the importance of institutions that facilitate learning and information diffusion as well as community building for the continuous success of industrial systems. Nevertheless, they fail to combine their insights into a general system-level understanding. In order to fill this gap the concept of collaborative public space (CPS) is defined. It is then used to analyze the Israeli military's role within the Israeli IT industry, employing the case study method to analyze a specific section of the military—MAMRAM—the main programming, software engineering, and computer users training unit. The paper's main findings are that, contrary to the commonly argued view, which sees the military mainly as a supplier of factors of production such as high skilled labor, or technological spin-offs, the military has been playing a critical role in the continuing success of the high-tech industry by providing it with a CPS. The military acts as an important center of information gathering, processing, and dissemination for the Israeli software innovation system, as the originator and strengthener of many social networks, and as the connecting node between various weakly tied social networks.     

制造企业知识管理实施方法的探讨

企业知识管理实施是一项系统工程,本文从企业知识管理概念模型出发,从企业战略选择,企业文化培养,企业组织创新和有效的知识管理的构建四个方面对知识管理的实施进行了讨论,分析表明：知识管理的实施不是四个方面的简单叠加,需要各方面的协调发展,需要针对企业自身情况,通过企业各子系统和过程的整合,建立适合自身特点的具有特色的知识管理模式是企业知识管理实施的最佳选择。     

Knowledge Bases in Worlds of Production: The Case of the Food Industry

This paper aims to contribute to research on the knowledge dimension of industrial innovation and competitive advantage by combining two conceptual constructs that are applied in growing but separate bodies of research. One, the so-called “SAS model”, regards knowledge bases of firms and distinguishes between Synthetic, Analytical and Symbolic knowledge. The second, the “Worlds of Production” construct, classifies firms according to differences in technologies and markets and outlines four possible action frameworks within which companies operate and innovate. Combining these conceptualizations seems to enrich analyses within both perspectives and provide a useful framework for studies on knowledge dynamics in different economic contexts. Empirical evidence regarding knowledge dynamics of two “alternative food” producers is presented, indicating that symbolic knowledge which in current literature is mainly delimited and described within cultural industries, may also be relevant for other industries such as the alternative food sub-sector.     

信息技术在汽车产品包装中的应用

介绍了汽车行业产品防护包装、防锈包装、运输包装的基本情况和典型工艺,同时分析了汽车制造业信息化的起因、重要性和产品包装信息化的有利条件,并通过输入、输出、包装设计、文件管理、文件更改、报表和模拟运行等进一步阐明了信息技术对汽车行业产品包装的影响,指出信息化将带动汽车行业产品包装实现跨越式发展.     

海洋鱼类人工繁殖和苗种培育高新技术的研究进展和前景

发展海洋鱼类的增殖和养殖是海洋鱼类资源的合理开发利用与持续性发展的根本措施和策略。因此,发展和提高海洋鱼类的增殖养殖技术,特别是做为增养殖基础的人工繁殖和苗种培育新技术,是海洋生物技术的一个重要研究领域。近年来在诱导海洋鱼类性腺发育成熟和改善卵子质量、排卵与产卵、提早性成熟和性别转换,调控海洋养殖鱼类在全年都能性腺发育成熟和产卵、改善幼苗培育与提高成活率和成长率以及采用基因工程技术生产各种促进鱼类生殖与生长的激素与神经肽等方面都取得明显进展,并且显示良好的生产应用前景。     

The Method Based on Original DBFs for Fast Estimation of Waveform Distortions in Ship Systems—Case Study

This paper deals with the problem of fast recognition of harmonic distortions by means of a wavelet transform. A method of fast detection of a frequency band affected by the high-frequency content and time of its occurrence is described. It is based on the auxiliary waveform distortion band factors (DBFs) calculated on the basis of wavelet coefficients. The merits of the presented method, as well as its limitations, are described on the basis of real voltages registered in ships' electrical power systems. This method is a part of the method based on the complementary application of Fourier and wavelet transforms, which was described in the previous papers of the author. However, this paper describes new research results and an expanded analysis exclusively focused on the aforementioned DBFs.     

Design Evaluation of Air Gap in a Ceiling Fan—A Simulation Case Study

Lower air gap in ceiling fan motors leads to higher rework at an assembly. It is suspected that inappropriate component design specifications may be the root cause. To resolve the issue and prevent worker dissatisfaction, a study is undertaken to evaluate the extent of air gap variation when components are produced as per design. First air gap is modeled as a function of different parameters of a fan assembly. The theoretical probability distribution of this modeled air gap function, though not impossible to obtain, is quite complex to derive. Thus this model is then used to generate data on air gap using Monte Carlo simulation. Analysis of the data shows that lack of process capability, not inappropriate design specifications, is mainly responsible for higher rework. The findings were discussed with management and were accepted. As a sequel to the study, a cost-benefit analysis is being undertaken for procuring new and improved machines.     

Trends disrupted—patent information in an era of change

Patent analysts predict trends in research and the business environment by studying the numbers and classifications of patents issued to companies around the world. Those attempts are often affected by the changes taking place in international treaties, governments, patent laws, patent classification systems, and corporate mergers and acquisitions. This paper describes some of the changes in the patent information environment that have disrupted the trends predicted by patent analyses in the past.     

多层模糊综合评判在企业技术创新能力评价中的应用

在构建企业技术创新能力评价指标体系的基础上,利用二级模糊综合评判对某企业技术创新能力水平进行评判,为企业的技术创新能力评价提供了一种科学实用的定量方法.     

Knowledge in Regional Economic Growth—The Role of Knowledge Accessibility

This paper analyzes the role of knowledge in regional economic growth by focusing on knowledge accessibility. The research question is the following: can the variation in knowledge accessibility between regions in a given period explain the variation in growth performance of regions in subsequent periods? A main assumption in the paper is that knowledge accessibility transforms into potential knowledge flows. Our results show that differences in growth of value-added per employee across regions can be explained by differences in knowledge accessibility. Intra-municipal and intra-regional knowledge accessibilities are significant and capable of explaining a significant share of the variation in growth of value-added per employee between Swedish municipalities. However, inter-regional knowledge accessibility turned out to be insignificant. This is interpreted as a clear indication of spatial dependence in the sense that the knowledge resources in a given municipality tend to have a positive effect on the growth of other municipalities, conditional on that the municipalities belong to the same functional region. Thus, the results of the analysis indicate that knowledge flows transcend municipal borders, but that they tend to be bound within functional regions.     

Multinationality Matters in Innovation: The Case of the UK Financial Services

The paper starts with a brief summary of theoretical perspectives on the relationship between multinationality and innovation and the move from a centralized and hierarchical perspective to a more decentralized network-based one. Four hypotheses are set up to test the relationship between multinationality and innovation, using data from the Community Innovation Survey 12 for the financial services sector. All models control for the size of the enterprise. The results show that multinationality is positively related to innovation activities. The positive impact of being part of a multinational company (MNC) on the propensity to innovate seems largely due to the fact that MNCs operate in different countries rather than, or more than, to the enterprise being part of a group. The relevance of multinationality appears to be higher, the higher the degree of internationalization of the company of which the enterprise is part. The country of origin of the company appears also to be important.     

Finance, Policy and Industrial Dynamics—The Rise of Co-productions in the Film Industry

This paper explores the growing phenomenon of international co-productions in the film industry. We argue that the rise of co-productions is part of a wider narrative of financial and institutional innovation shaping industrial organization in the film industry. This narrative centres on film finance as a central risk distribution mechanism, and discusses how changes in film support policy, increased tax competition, the search for finance and an abundance of inflowing capital are increasingly driving industrial dynamics in the film industry.     

The Catalysing Role of In-House R&D in Fostering Complementarity Among Innovative Inputs

While several studies have investigated the relationship between internal and external sources of innovation, no clear-cut result has emerged so far, suggesting the possibility that the nature of such interaction—far from being an absolute property of the innovative process—may instead be a relative one, contingent upon the nature and the level of innovative inputs a firm has invested in. Using microdata from the third Italian Community Innovation Survey, we test under what conditions the nature of the interactions between four different innovative inputs (internal and external R&D, embodied and disembodied technological acquisition) is one of complementarity or substitutability. Two are the main findings of our study: (i) internal R&D and embodied technological acquisitions turn out to be complementary only after a minimum threshold of in-house R&D expenditure has been overcome, being substitutive otherwise; (ii) investing in internal R&D also affects the nature of the relationships between alternative external sources of innovation, whose interaction proves to be complementary only for firms that invest in internal R&D.