IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/proeco/v240y2021ics0925527321002103.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

External knowledge search, opportunity recognition and industry 4.0 adoption in SMEs

Author

Listed:
  • Ricci, Riccardo
  • Battaglia, Daniele
  • Neirotti, Paolo

Abstract

Technologies related to Industry 4.0 require Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to understand their potential applications before they are adopted. In this paper, we test empirically a framework that links SME search strategies within their ecosystem (i.e., breadth of search vs. depth of search) to the capability of SMEs to recognise digital opportunities associated with Industry 4.0 (i.e., digital design, digital manufacturing and digital servitisation opportunities). We analyse a sample of 174 manufacturing SMEs operating in Italy. Our results illustrate the distinguishing traits of the knowledge search paths required to implement Industry 4.0 technologies in an SME manufacturing setting. In particular, they indicate that the recognition of digital opportunities in both product design and manufacturing processes require a depth of collaboration in the innovation process to capture firm and industry-specific company needs and to create mutual trust among the parties. Conversely, digital opportunities in the realm of product/service platforms require a breadth of search for SMEs to invest in different information technology layers to support the digitalisation of a product. We also find that all three groups of digital opportunities positively influence the extent of adoption of information and digital technologies (e.g., IoT, big data analytics, simulation). Our findings bring finer-grained evidence on how digital opportunities are linked with the adoption of the different types of Industry 4.0 technologies, reflecting the peculiar traits of manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, they show managers how to set specific collaboration strategies with the ecosystem according to the digital opportunities they are willing to pursue.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricci, Riccardo & Battaglia, Daniele & Neirotti, Paolo, 2021. "External knowledge search, opportunity recognition and industry 4.0 adoption in SMEs," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:240:y:2021:i:c:s0925527321002103
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108234
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527321002103
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108234?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raj, Alok & Dwivedi, Gourav & Sharma, Ankit & Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Rajak, Sonu, 2020. "Barriers to the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector: An inter-country comparative perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    2. Domingo Garcia-Perez-De-Lema & Antonia Madrid-Guijarro & Dominique Philippe Martin, 2017. "Influence of university–firm governance on SMEs innovation and performance levels," Post-Print halshs-01354120, HAL.
    3. Ahn, Sang-Jin, 2020. "Three characteristics of technology competition by IoT-driven digitization," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    4. Yongxin Liao & Fernando Deschamps & Eduardo de Freitas Rocha Loures & Luiz Felipe Pierin Ramos, 2017. "Past, present and future of Industry 4.0 - a systematic literature review and research agenda proposal," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(12), pages 3609-3629, June.
    5. Robert G. Fichman & Chris F. Kemerer, 1999. "The Illusory Diffusion of Innovation: An Examination of Assimilation Gaps," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 10(3), pages 255-275, September.
    6. Culot, Giovanna & Nassimbeni, Guido & Orzes, Guido & Sartor, Marco, 2020. "Behind the definition of Industry 4.0: Analysis and open questions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    7. Müller, Julian Marius & Buliga, Oana & Voigt, Kai-Ingo, 2018. "Fortune favors the prepared: How SMEs approach business model innovations in Industry 4.0," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 2-17.
    8. Alexandre Moeuf & Robert Pellerin & Samir Lamouri & Simon Tamayo-Giraldo & Rodolphe Barbaray, 2018. "The industrial management of SMEs in the era of Industry 4.0," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(3), pages 1118-1136, February.
    9. Tava Lennon Olsen & Brian Tomlin, 2020. "Industry 4.0: Opportunities and Challenges for Operations Management," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 22(1), pages 113-122, January.
    10. Paul Attewell, 1992. "Technology Diffusion and Organizational Learning: The Case of Business Computing," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 3(1), pages 1-19, February.
    11. Jensen, Morten Berg & Johnson, Bjorn & Lorenz, Edward & Lundvall, Bengt Ake, 2007. "Forms of knowledge and modes of innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 680-693, June.
    12. Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Paslauski, Carolline Amaral & Ghezzi, Antonio & Frank, Alejandro Germán, 2017. "Knowledge sharing dynamics in service suppliers' involvement for servitization of manufacturing companies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 538-553.
    13. Jiang, Ruth & Kleer, Robin & Piller, Frank T., 2017. "Predicting the future of additive manufacturing: A Delphi study on economic and societal implications of 3D printing for 2030," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 84-97.
    14. Cugno, Monica & Castagnoli, Rebecca & Büchi, Giacomo, 2021. "Openness to Industry 4.0 and performance: The impact of barriers and incentives," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    15. Teece, David J., 2020. "Hand in Glove: Open Innovation and the Dynamic Capabilities Framework," Strategic Management Review, now publishers, vol. 1(2), pages 233-253, June.
    16. Sven-Vegard Buer & Jan Ola Strandhagen & Felix T. S. Chan, 2018. "The link between Industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing: mapping current research and establishing a research agenda," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(8), pages 2924-2940, April.
    17. Nicholas Bloom & John Van Reenen, 2010. "Why Do Management Practices Differ across Firms and Countries?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(1), pages 203-224, Winter.
    18. Gabriel Rissola & Jens Sorvik, 2018. "Digital Innovation Hubs in Smart Specialisation Strategies," JRC Research Reports JRC113111, Joint Research Centre.
    19. Mahmood, Tarique & Mubarik, Muhammad Shujaat, 2020. "Balancing innovation and exploitation in the fourth industrial revolution: Role of intellectual capital and technology absorptive capacity," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    20. Alexandre Moeuf & Samir Lamouri & Robert Pellerin & Simon Tamayo-Giraldo & Estefania Tobon-Valencia & Romain Eburdy, 2020. "Identification of critical success factors, risks and opportunities of Industry 4.0 in SMEs," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(5), pages 1384-1400, March.
    21. Marco Ardolino & Mario Rapaccini & Nicola Saccani & Paolo Gaiardelli & Giovanni Crespi & Carlo Ruggeri, 2018. "The role of digital technologies for the service transformation of industrial companies," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(6), pages 2116-2132, March.
    22. Christian Arnold & Daniel Kiel & Kai-Ingo Voigt, 2016. "How The Industrial Internet Of Things Changes Business Models In Different Manufacturing Industries," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(08), pages 1-25, December.
    23. Kahle, Júlia Hofmeister & Marcon, Érico & Ghezzi, Antonio & Frank, Alejandro G., 2020. "Smart Products value creation in SMEs innovation ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    24. Dalenogare, Lucas Santos & Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Frank, Alejandro Germán, 2018. "The expected contribution of Industry 4.0 technologies for industrial performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 383-394.
    25. Michael A. Cusumano & Steven J. Kahl & Fernando F. Suarez, 2015. "Services, industry evolution, and the competitive strategies of product firms," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(4), pages 559-575, April.
    26. Irani Arráiz & Francisca Henríquez & Rodolfo Stucchi, 2013. "Supplier development programs and firm performance: evidence from Chile," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 277-293, June.
    27. Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Frank, Alejandro G., 2020. "Industry 4.0 innovation ecosystems: An evolutionary perspective on value cocreation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    28. Margherita Pagani, 2013. "Digital Business Strategy and Value Creation : Framing the Dynamic Cycle of Control Points," Post-Print hal-02313107, HAL.
    29. Saarikko, Ted & Westergren, Ulrika H. & Blomquist, Tomas, 2017. "The Internet of Things: Are you ready for what’s coming?," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 60(5), pages 667-676.
    30. Garcia-Perez-de-Lema, Domingo & Madrid-Guijarro, Antonia & Martin, Dominique Philippe, 2017. "Influence of university–firm governance on SMEs innovation and performance levels," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 250-261.
    31. Frank, Alejandro Germán & Dalenogare, Lucas Santos & Ayala, Néstor Fabián, 2019. "Industry 4.0 technologies: Implementation patterns in manufacturing companies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 15-26.
    32. Kobarg, Sebastian & Stumpf-Wollersheim, Jutta & Welpe, Isabell M., 2019. "More is not always better: Effects of collaboration breadth and depth on radical and incremental innovation performance at the project level," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 1-10.
    33. Gillani, Fatima & Chatha, Kamran Ali & Sadiq Jajja, Muhammad Shakeel & Farooq, Sami, 2020. "Implementation of digital manufacturing technologies: Antecedents and consequences," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    34. Christian Hoyer & Indra Gunawan & Carmen Haule Reaiche, 2020. "The Implementation of Industry 4.0 – A Systematic Literature Review of the Key Factors," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 557-578, July.
    35. Gerd J. Hahn, 2020. "Industry 4.0: a supply chain innovation perspective," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(5), pages 1425-1441, March.
    36. André O Laplume & Bent Petersen & Joshua M Pearce, 2016. "Global value chains from a 3D printing perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 47(5), pages 595-609, June.
    37. Frank, Alejandro G. & Mendes, Glauco H.S. & Ayala, Néstor F. & Ghezzi, Antonio, 2019. "Servitization and Industry 4.0 convergence in the digital transformation of product firms: A business model innovation perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 341-351.
    38. Fei Tao & Fangyuan Sui & Ang Liu & Qinglin Qi & Meng Zhang & Boyang Song & Zirong Guo & Stephen C.-Y. Lu & A. Y. C. Nee, 2019. "Digital twin-driven product design framework," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(12), pages 3935-3953, June.
    39. Sahi, Gurjeet Kaur & Gupta, Mahesh C. & Cheng, T.C.E., 2020. "The effects of strategic orientation on operational ambidexterity: A study of indian SMEs in the industry 4.0 era," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    40. Stornelli, Aldo & Ozcan, Sercan & Simms, Christopher, 2021. "Advanced manufacturing technology adoption and innovation: A systematic literature review on barriers, enablers, and innovation types," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(6).
    41. James H. Love & Stephen Roper & Priit Vahter, 2014. "Learning from openness: The dynamics of breadth in external innovation linkages," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(11), pages 1703-1716, November.
    42. Kiel, Daniel & Arnold, Christian & Voigt, Kai-Ingo, 2017. "The influence of the Industrial Internet of Things on business models of established manufacturing companies – A business level perspective," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 4-19.
    43. Ancarani, Alessandro & Di Mauro, Carmela & Mascali, Francesco, 2019. "Backshoring strategy and the adoption of Industry 4.0: Evidence from Europe," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(4), pages 360-371.
    44. Rayna, Thierry & Striukova, Ludmila, 2016. "From rapid prototyping to home fabrication: How 3D printing is changing business model innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 214-224.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Meixia Wang & Huiping Wang, 2022. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Knowledge search and innovation performance: The mediating role of absorptive capacity," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 1060-1070, December.
    2. Taewoo Roh & Shufeng Simon Xiao & Byung Il Park, 2023. "Effects of open innovation on eco-innovation in meta-organizations: evidence from Korean SMEs," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(5), pages 2004-2028, November.
    3. Marino-Romero, Jorge Alberto & Palos-Sánchez, Pedro R. & Velicia-Martín, Félix, 2024. "Evolution of digital transformation in SMEs management through a bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    4. Tomasz Chajduga & Manuela Ingaldi & Dorota Klimecka-Tatar, 2021. "Management of the Documentation Release by the Programmable Electrical Energy Flow-Individually Made Machine Called Documentomat," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Maheshwari, Pratik & Kamble, Sachin & Belhadi, Amine & Venkatesh, Mani & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul, 2023. "Digital twin-driven real-time planning, monitoring, and controlling in food supply chains," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    6. xin, Liu & Vu, Trong Lam & Phan, Thi Thu Hien & Sadiq, Muhammad & Xuyen, Nguyen Thi My & Ngo, Thanh Quang, 2023. "Nexus of natural resources, urbanization and economic recovery in Asia: The moderating role of innovation," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Xiuzhen, Xie & Zheng, Wenxiu & Umair, Muhammad, 2022. "Testing the fluctuations of oil resource price volatility: A hurdle for economic recovery," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    8. Virmani, Naveen & Sharma, Shikha & Kumar, Anil & Luthra, Sunil, 2023. "Adoption of industry 4.0 evidence in emerging economy: Behavioral reasoning theory perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    9. Dhar, Suparna & Tarafdar, Pratik & Bose, Indranil, 2022. "Understanding the evolution of an emerging technological paradigm and its impact: The case of Digital Twin," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    10. Cannavacciuolo, Lorella & Ferraro, Giovanna & Ponsiglione, Cristina & Primario, Simonetta & Quinto, Ivana, 2023. "Technological innovation-enabling industry 4.0 paradigm: A systematic literature review," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    11. Pabolu, Venkata Krishna Rao & Shrivastava, Divya & Kulkarni, Makarand S., 2022. "Modelling and prediction of worker task performance using a knowledge-based system application," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    12. Battaglia, Daniele & Galati, Francesco & Molinaro, Margherita & Pessot, Elena, 2023. "Full, hybrid and platform complementarity: Exploring the industry 4.0 technology-performance link," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    13. Kolade, Oluwaseun & Odumuyiwa, Victor & Abolfathi, Soroush & Schröder, Patrick & Wakunuma, Kutoma & Akanmu, Ifeoluwa & Whitehead, Timothy & Tijani, Bosun & Oyinlola, Muyiwa, 2022. "Technology acceptance and readiness of stakeholders for transitioning to a circular plastic economy in Africa," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    14. Su, Jingqin & Zhang, Yajie & Wu, Xianyun, 2023. "How market pressures and organizational readiness drive digital marketing adoption strategies' evolution in small and medium enterprises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    15. Charpin, Remi & London, Jackie & Vincent, Nicolas, 2024. "The effect of geopolitical tensions on international research collaborations and its implications for global operations management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Culot, Giovanna & Orzes, Guido & Sartor, Marco & Nassimbeni, Guido, 2020. "The future of manufacturing: A Delphi-based scenario analysis on Industry 4.0," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    2. Cannavacciuolo, Lorella & Ferraro, Giovanna & Ponsiglione, Cristina & Primario, Simonetta & Quinto, Ivana, 2023. "Technological innovation-enabling industry 4.0 paradigm: A systematic literature review," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    3. Meindl, Benjamin & Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Mendonça, Joana & Frank, Alejandro G., 2021. "The four smarts of Industry 4.0: Evolution of ten years of research and future perspectives," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    4. Mariani, Marcello & Borghi, Matteo, 2019. "Industry 4.0: A bibliometric review of its managerial intellectual structure and potential evolution in the service industries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    5. Laubengaier, Désirée A. & Cagliano, Raffaella & Canterino, Filomena, 2022. "It Takes Two to Tango: Analyzing the Relationship between Technological and Administrative Process Innovations in Industry 4.0," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    6. Cifone, Fabiana Dafne & Hoberg, Kai & Holweg, Matthias & Staudacher, Alberto Portioli, 2021. "‘Lean 4.0’: How can digital technologies support lean practices?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    7. Gillani, Fatima & Chatha, Kamran Ali & Sadiq Jajja, Muhammad Shakeel & Farooq, Sami, 2020. "Implementation of digital manufacturing technologies: Antecedents and consequences," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    8. Marcon, Érico & Le Dain, Marie-Anne & Frank, Alejandro G., 2022. "Designing business models for Industry 4.0 technologies provision: Changes in business dimensions through digital transformation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    9. Alok Raj & Anand Jeyaraj, 2023. "Antecedents and consequents of industry 4.0 adoption using technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework: A meta-analysis," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 322(1), pages 101-124, March.
    10. Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Frank, Alejandro G., 2020. "Industry 4.0 innovation ecosystems: An evolutionary perspective on value cocreation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    11. Dalenogare, Lucas Santos & Le Dain, Marie-Anne & Benitez, Guilherme B. & Ayala, Néstor F. & Frank, Alejandro G., 2022. "Multichannel digital service delivery and service ecosystems: The role of data integration within Smart Product-Service Systems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    12. Yu, Yubing & Zhang, Justin Zuopeng & Cao, Yanhong & Kazancoglu, Yigit, 2021. "Intelligent transformation of the manufacturing industry for Industry 4.0: Seizing financial benefits from supply chain relationship capital through enterprise green management," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    13. Battaglia, Daniele & Galati, Francesco & Molinaro, Margherita & Pessot, Elena, 2023. "Full, hybrid and platform complementarity: Exploring the industry 4.0 technology-performance link," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    14. Sumona Mukhuty & Arvind Upadhyay & Holly Rothwell, 2022. "Strategic sustainable development of Industry 4.0 through the lens of social responsibility: The role of human resource practices," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2068-2081, July.
    15. Cugno, Monica & Castagnoli, Rebecca & Büchi, Giacomo, 2021. "Openness to Industry 4.0 and performance: The impact of barriers and incentives," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    16. Calabrese, Armando & Costa, Roberta & Tiburzi, Luigi & Brem, Alexander, 2023. "Merging two revolutions: A human-artificial intelligence method to study how sustainability and Industry 4.0 are intertwined," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    17. Frank, Alejandro G. & Mendes, Glauco H.S. & Ayala, Néstor F. & Ghezzi, Antonio, 2019. "Servitization and Industry 4.0 convergence in the digital transformation of product firms: A business model innovation perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 341-351.
    18. Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Ghezzi, Antonio & Frank, Alejandro G., 2023. "When technologies become Industry 4.0 platforms: Defining the role of digital technologies through a boundary-spanning perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    19. Gillani, Fatima & Chatha, Kamran Ali & Jajja, Shakeel Sadiq & Cao, Dongmei & Ma, Xiao, 2024. "Unpacking Digital Transformation: Identifying key enablers, transition stages and digital archetypes," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    20. Arroyabe, Marta F. & Arranz, Carlos F.A. & Arroyabe, Ignacio Fernandez de & Arroyabe, Juan Carlos Fernandez de, 2024. "The effect of IT security issues on the implementation of industry 4.0 in SMEs: Barriers and challenges11This paper was supported by the UKRI Discribe Hub+, Digital Security by Design (DSbD) Programme," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:240:y:2021:i:c:s0925527321002103. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijpe .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.