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Characteristics of innovating firms in Tunisia: The essential role of external knowledge sources

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  • Rahmouni, Mohieddine
  • Ayadi, Mohamed
  • YIldIzoglu, Murat

Abstract

This article is dedicated to the analysis of the first innovation survey of the Tunisian firms. Starting from basic mechanisms of innovation processes and existing results on other developing countries, we test a set of assumptions on the characteristics of innovating firms in a developing country like Tunisia. The analysis of product and process innovations shows the essential role played by external technical knowledge sources: firms must be able to benefit at least from one such a source in order to attain a significant innovation propensity. We also show that the profile of Tunisian firms can be contrasted with other developing countries. The main contrast concerns the limited role of internal R&D and the insignificant role played by foreign participation. For both types of innovations, another important contrasting result concerns the role of sectoral membership. In Tunisia, this dimension does not seem to structure enough systematically the innovative capabilities of firms. That could indicate an immaturity of sectoral systems of innovations in this country.

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  • Rahmouni, Mohieddine & Ayadi, Mohamed & YIldIzoglu, Murat, 2010. "Characteristics of innovating firms in Tunisia: The essential role of external knowledge sources," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 181-196, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:streco:v:21:y:2010:i:3:p:181-196
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mounir Amdaoud & Messaoud Zouikri, 2018. "Compétences externes et innovation: le cas des firmes de l'industrie manufacturière algérienne," Working Papers hal-04141692, HAL.
    3. Mounir Amdaoud & Christian Le Bas, 2020. "Firm Patenting and Types of innovation in Least Developed Countries. An Empirical Investigation on Patenting Determinants," CEPN Working Papers hal-03059466, HAL.
    4. Mohieddine Rahmouni, 2014. "Perception des obstacles aux activités d'innovation dans les entreprises tunisiennes," Revue d’économie du développement, De Boeck Université, vol. 22(3), pages 69-98.
    5. Mohamed Ayadi & Wided Mattoussi, 2014. "From Productivity to Exporting or Vice Versa? Evidence from Tunisian Manufacturing Sector," Working Papers 852, Economic Research Forum, revised Nov 2014.
    6. Gomes, Giancarlo & Seman, Laio Oriel & De Montreuil Carmona, Linda Jessica, 2022. "Industry does matter: Analysing innovation, firm performance and organisational learning heterogeneities on Brazilian manufacturing sectors," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 544-555.
    7. Haddoud, Mohamed Yacine & Kock, Ned & Onjewu, Adah-Kole Emmanuel & Jafari-Sadeghi, Vahid & Jones, Paul, 2023. "Technology, innovation and SMEs' export intensity: Evidence from Morocco," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    8. Mohieddine Rahmouni, 2013. "Innovativeness of Exporting firms in a Developing Country: The Case of Tunisia," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 33(2), pages 914-930.
    9. Mohieddine Rahmouni & Murat Yildizoglu & Mohamed Ayadi, 2011. "Export Behaviour and Propensity to Innovate in a Developing Country: The Case of Tunisia," Working Papers halshs-00608239, HAL.
    10. Bouoiyour, Jamal & Selmi, Refk, 2014. "How Robust is the Connection between Exchange Rate Uncertainty and Tunisia’s Exports?," MPRA Paper 57505, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Olfa KAMMOUN & Mohieddine RAHMOUNI, 2013. "Intellectual Property Rights, Appropriation Instruments and Innovation Activities: Evidence from Tunisian Firms," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2013-01, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).
    12. Mohamed Ayadi & Wided Matoussi, 2014. "Working Paper - 214 - From Productivity to Exporting or Vice Versa Evidence from Tunisian Manufacturing Sector," Working Paper Series 2150, African Development Bank.
    13. Sami SAAFI & Fouzi SBOUI, 2011. "LES OPPORTUNITES DES INVESTISSEMENTS DIRECTS ETRANGERS LES OPPORTUNITES DES INVESTISSEMENTS DIRECTS ETRANGERS, DIFFUSION TECHNOLOGIQUE ET DEMANDE DE LA MAIN-D’OEUVRE PAR QUALIFICATION DES INDUSTRIES T," Working Papers 240, Laboratoire de Recherche sur l'Industrie et l'Innovation. ULCO / Research Unit on Industry and Innovation.
    14. Mohieddine Rahmouni, 2021. "Determinants of capacity utilisation by firms in developing countries: evidence from Tunisia," International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 13(3), pages 212-245.
    15. Rahmouni, Mohieddine, 2023. "Corruption and corporate innovation in Tunisia during an economic downturn," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 314-326.

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