Division of Labor between Innovation Intermediaries for SMEs: Productivity Effects of Interfirm Organizations in Japan

Innovation intermediaries are individuals or organizations that help others improve productivity. This study examines how small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) chose intermediaries and how intermediaries affected total factor productivity (TFP) growth of participants through different channels. Estimated switching regression models reveal that cooperative associations improved TFP of participants through cost sharing, such as joint logistics, while voluntary groups improved TFP of participants through knowledge sharing, such as joint R&D. Innovative SMEs appear to have exploited different intermediaries so that the benefit from each intermediary would be complementary to TFP growth. The results suggest the division of labor between intermediaries.     

Determining Factors in Innovation of Small Firm Networks: A case of Cross Industry Groups in Japan

We examine the relationship between network characteristics and innovation under different phases of innovation. Based on micro data of cross industry groups, small firm networks for knowledge sharing and R&D cooperation, we show that close-knit networks, represented as dense communication and a high level of commitment among members, are correlated with initiating joint product development. Furthermore, the results show that establishing contact with external sources of knowledge such as public research institutes is important to achieve technical success in innovation. Lastly, engaging in cooperative activities in sales is correlated with commercial success in innovation.     

A Note on the Term Structure of Implied Volatilities for the Yen/U.S. Dollar Currency Option

This paper tests the relationship between short dated and long dated implied volatilities obtained from Tokyo market currency option prices by employing three different volatility models: a mean reverting model, a GARCH model, and an EGARCH model. We document evidence that long dated average expected volatility is higher than that predicted by the term structure relationship during the dramatic appreciation of yen/dollar exchange in the early 1990's. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Note on Credit Risk of Vertical <Emphasis Type="Italic">Keiretsu</Emphasis> Firms: Preliminary Evidence from the Japanese Automobile Industry

This paper empirically examines the relationship between the credit risk of Toyota, Nissan and Honda keiretsu-affiliated firms and the credit risk of the respective parent company. As credit spread data for keiretsu-affiliated firms were not available we create a keiretsu default index, as a proxy, using expected default probabilities obtained from the KMV and Leland and Toft (J. Finance 51, 987–1019, 1996) option pricing models. We find parent credit spreads do not Granger cause our keiretsu default index and vice versa in a bivariate vector autoregressive (VAR) framework.JEL classification: G3, L62     

The contingent effect of social capital on performance of professional athletes: life cycle stages and changes in regulation as moderators

Motorboat racing is a sport organized as public gambling in Japan. As well as physical strength and driving technique, skills to adjust equipment are critical for racers to win a race. Based on the contingency theory of social capital, this study analysed comprehensive panel data of motorboat racers and revealed that bonding and bridging social capital had different impacts on performance according to life cycle stages of racers and changes in regulation. First, bonding social capital has a positive impact on performance when racers are less experienced and most need psychological aid stemming from strong ties. Second, bridging social capital has a positive impact on performance when racers are more experienced and have accumulated absorptive capacity to learn efficiently from diverse sources of knowledge. Third, both bonding and bridging social capital lose their explanatory power after the changes in regulation that shifted ownership of propellers from racers to the authority, which could mitigate the significance of the formation of small groups among racers to share cost and knowledge regarding the improvement in propellers. Research and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.     

Manufacturing growth accelerations in developing countries

This paper investigates the factors driving manufacturing growth accelerations in a sample of 134 developing countries over the period 1970 to 2014. We first identify growth acceleration episodes of manufacturing value added (MVA) by their year of initiation and according to a country’s income classification. We then estimate a probit model to explain what factors predict these MVA growth accelerations. Our results show that human capital and institutions represent contextual factors that favor the growth of manufacturing, together with macroeconomic policies related to investment, and openness to foreign trade and capital. We also find that most of these factors not only foster episodic accelerations of industry, but they contribute as well to a sustained process of industrialization that characterized the process of economic growth of a few successful countries over the period 1970 to 2014.     

Determinants of licensing activities of local public technology centers in Japan

Local public technology centers are publicly managed institutions that facilitate technology transfer to small local firms. As well as providing small local firms with various technological services, local public technology centers conduct their own research and patent inventions. This study examines factors facilitating licensing activities and finds that the determinants vary according to the phase of technology transfer. Employing more Ph.D. scientists tends to promote the licensing of patents, while organizational efforts that encourage scientists to better understand the technological needs of small local firms tend to increase royalty revenue. The theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.