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Green-tech firm creation in Germany: the role of regional knowledge

Author

Listed:
  • Keungoui Kim

    (Handong Global University)

  • Alberto Nonnis

    (Université Paris-Saclay, European Chair on Intangibles & RITM, Faculté Jean Monnet)

  • Altay Özaygen

    (Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Mines-Télécom Business School, LITEM)

  • Dieter F. Kogler

    (University College Dublin)

Abstract

Due to the increasing awareness on environmental issues, the necessity to implement more sustainable technologies is becoming a central theme for policy makers and economic agents. The beneficial effects of these technologies are not restricted to the environmental sphere, but also concern economic activity. In the present study, building on the knowledge spillovers theory of entrepreneurship, we look at the role of regional knowledge capabilities in facilitating green-tech firm creation in German regions. Exploiting the European Patent Office PATSTAT database in order to build regional knowledge measures, and official German government sources concerning regional green entrepreneurship activity, we consider both knowledge capacity and knowledge diversity aspects. We differentiate patents in terms of quality, using citation-based measures, and adopt a recombinant knowledge approach to account for knowledge heterogeneity. Results highlight the key role played by knowledge capacity measures, such as absorptive and innovative knowledge capacity, in promoting entrepreneurship. Although, among knowledge diversity measures only related diversity is found to promote the creation of new firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Keungoui Kim & Alberto Nonnis & Altay Özaygen & Dieter F. Kogler, 2023. "Green-tech firm creation in Germany: the role of regional knowledge," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 97-120, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:intemj:v:19:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s11365-022-00808-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11365-022-00808-3
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