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Knowledge transfers and innovation: The role of labour markets and R&D co‐operation between agents and institutions

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  • Jaakko Simonen
  • Philip McCann

Abstract

This paper investigates the role played by the knowledge transfers fostering innovation in Finnish high technology industries. In particular, we examine the roles played by both face‐to‐face knowledge transfers and also human capital transfers between different types of agents and institutions in the promotion of innovation. In order to examine these issues we employ a unique innovation dataset which provides information about a firm's innovation performance along with information regarding the geographical and sectoral origins of a firm's recent labour acquisitions, disaggregated according to different types of agents and institutions. This allows us to develop proxies for inter‐firm face‐to‐face knowledge exchanges and also human capital knowledge transfers. The analysis of these data allows us to identify the different roles which the geography of knowledge exchanges and labour markets between agents and institutions play in regional innovation processes. Resumen Este artículo investiga el rol de los procesos de transferencia de conocimiento que promueven la innovación en industrias finlandesas de alta tecnología. Examinamos en particular los roles de la transferencia de conocimiento cara a cara y de la transferencia de capital humano entre diferentes tipos de agentes e instituciones en fomentar la innovación. Para examinar estos temas empleamos un conjunto único de datos sobre innovación que proporciona información sobre el desempeño en innovación de una empresa junto con información acerca del origen geográfico y sectorial del reclutamiento laboral reciente de una empresa, desagregado de acuerdo a diferentes tipos de agentes e instituciones. Esto nos permite desarrollar sustitutivos para intercambios de conocimiento cara a cara entre firmas y también para transferencias de conocimiento mediante capital humano. El análisis de estos datos nos permite identificar los roles distintos de la geografía de intercambios de conocimiento y de los mercados laborales entre agentes e instituciones en los procesos de innovación regional.

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  • Jaakko Simonen & Philip McCann, 2010. "Knowledge transfers and innovation: The role of labour markets and R&D co‐operation between agents and institutions," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 89(2), pages 295-309, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:presci:v:89:y:2010:i:2:p:295-309
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1435-5957.2010.00299.x
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    3. Shuguang Liu & Jiayi Wang & Yin Long, 2023. "Research into the Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Technological Innovation in China’s Natural Gas Industry from the Perspective of Energy Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-34, April.
    4. Gary A. Wagner & Jamie Bologna Pavlik, 2020. "Patent intensity and concentration: The effect of institutional quality on MSA patent activity," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 99(4), pages 857-898, August.
    5. Favaro, Donata & Ninka, Eniel & Turvani, Margherita, 2012. "Productivity in innovation: the role of inventor connections and mobility," MPRA Paper 38950, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Favaro, Donata & Ninka, Eniel, 2019. "Inventors’ working relationships and knowledge creation: a study on patented innovation," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 45, pages 55-76.
    7. J. Simonen & R. Svento & P. McCann, 2016. "The regional and sectoral mobility of high-tech workers: insights from Finland," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 56(2), pages 341-368, March.
    8. Favaro, Donata & Ninka, Eniel & Turvani, Margherita, 2014. "Knowledge externalities and knowledge creation: the role of inventors’ working relationships and mobility," MPRA Paper 64527, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Oliver Farhauer & Alexandra Kröll, 2012. "Diversified specialisation—going one step beyond regional economics’ specialisation-diversification concept," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 32(1), pages 63-84, March.
    10. Jaakko Simonen & Johannes Herala & Rauli Svento, 2020. "Creative destruction and creative resilience: Restructuring of the Nokia dominated high‐tech sector in the Oulu region," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(5), pages 931-953, October.
    11. Aurora I. Maynez Guaderrama & Judith Cavazos Arroyo & Santiago Ibarreche Suarez & Jose Pablo Nuno de la Parra, 2012. "Trust, Commitment And Intention To Share: Influencing Variables To Transfer Knowledge Within Organizations?, Confianza, Compromiso E Intencion Para Compartir: ¿Variables Influyentes Para Transferir C," Revista Internacional Administracion & Finanzas, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 5(5), pages 21-40.

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