Proximity,networking and knowledge production in Europe: What lessons for innovation policy?

This paper aims at investigating the role of different types of proximity on the technological activity of a region within the context of a knowledge production function, where R&D expenditure and human capital are the main internal inputs. We thus assess to what extent the creation of new ideas in a certain region is enhanced by knowledge flows coming from proximate regions. In particular, we examine in detail different kinds of proximity by combining the usual geographical dimension with the institutional, technological, social and organizational proximity. The analysis is implemented for an ample dataset referring to 276 regions in 29 European countries (EU27 plus Norway, Switzerland) over the last decade. Results show that human capital and R&D are clearly essential for innovative activity with the former being much more effective in driving the production of knowledge. As for the proximity and network effects, we find that technological proximity outperforms the geographic one, whilst a limited role is played by social and organizational networks. As a result, the first policy message is that European regions still need to focus on policies aimed at increasing the endowments of well-educated labour force and therefore their knowledge base. Furthermore, we need innovation policies based on each region's specific innovation potential, due to the existing differences in geographical, cognitive, institutional, social and organizational structures and networks.     

The architecture of R&D joint projects: the social network analysis approach

This paper examines the effect of network properties on the performance R&D joint projects. In particular, we examine the impact of network cohesion, diversity and shape on the performance of these of exploration and exploitation R&D projects. We test these measures using data on projects from European R&D networks developed under the framework of Eureka projects. The empirical results indicated some network properties enhance the project’s performance and these differ depending on the kind of technological project developed. Our results suggest a lower heterogeneity, greater cohesion and network centralisation in exploitation than in exploration projects. Our findings show different types of structures depending on the aim of the joint project and that there exist different degrees of cohesion between the partners that comprise the core and the peripheral nodes.     

协同创新项目组织特征与知识扩散——网络嵌入视角

知识扩散是协同创新项目资源整合的主要途径,知识扩散参与方通过相互之间的任务协作关系嵌入项目网络中,其嵌入特征影响项目知识扩散行为及结果。协同创新项目的任务导向性使组织中的网络嵌入特征及知识扩散行为具有显著特殊性。基于此,构建项目层面的知识扩散仿真模型,并进行网络嵌入性的敏感性分析。仿真结果证实,不同程度的关系嵌入性与结构嵌入性对知识扩散的知识增量与知识水平差异程度两个维度均具有显著影响。从优化知识扩散角度看,协同创新项目组织中适度的关系嵌入性与低水平的结构嵌入性能够最大程度地提升知识扩散效率,实现组织中知识资源充分流动。     

产学研协同创新视角下联盟网络嵌入对创新绩效的影响

产学研协同创新在促进科技成果转化、提升企业创新绩效过程中起着积极作用。基于社会网络理论,从产学研协同创新视角切入,利用371份联盟网络企业调查数据,构建一个有调节的中介模型,采用结构方程和层级回归分析法进行实证检验。结果显示：协同能力可由企业与产学研协同创新中的四类主体构成的二阶四维变量表示;联盟网络嵌入正向影响企业协同能力和创新绩效;协同能力在结构嵌入和关系嵌入对创新绩效的影响中起部分中介作用;知识刚性负向调节协同能力与创新绩效的作用关系。结论可为嵌入在产学研联盟网络中的企业如何与外部主体有效合作以提升创新绩效提供有益借鉴。     

Technological area experience,experience diversity and innovation

One conclusion from the knowledge-based view is that firms develop knowledge from experience. This paper examines the conditions under which firms’ R&D experiences might have stronger or weaker effects on innovation capabilities. We posit that any potential benefit depends on the nature of this experience. In particular, we look at how technological area experience and experience diversity affects innovation capabilities. We further propose that, in order to leverage their experience, firms need to consider how the interactions of technological area experience and experience diversity affect performance. To test this model, we draw on a data set of 3034 drug development projects undertaken by 30 large pharmaceutical companies between 1980 and 2008.     

企业网络能力与技术创新——基于跨组织知识管理的实证研究

本文从企业网络能力对技术创新的影响机制展开分析,引入跨组织知识管理,提出了企业网络能力、跨组织知识管理与技术创新三者之间的关系假设.通过问卷调查和结构方程模型分析,对我国企业网络能力如何影响技术创新的问题进行了实证研究.研究结果表明,网络能力的结构对跨组织知识管理有积极影响,跨组织知识管理的结构对技术创新有显著的正向影响.本文认为,对于处于社会网络之中的企业而言,通过提升自身的网络能力,建立和优化内外网络关系,加强与其他组织之间的合作,实现跨组织知识管理不失为一条新的创新路径.     

基于区块链技术的协同创新知识共享研究

为探究区块链技术对协同创新中知识共享的影响,构建基于区块链技术的协同创新知识共享系统模型,分析区块链技术特性对协同创新知识共享过程和结果的影响。在此基础上,引入Steemit区块链网络社区,基于现实数据构建知识共享系统动力学模型,并运用Vensim PLE软件进行仿真。结果表明,区块链技术有助于构建全新的协同创新生态系统,通过营造去信任化的知识共享环境、提升协同创新伙伴异质性,推动协同创新知识共享进程,提升知识共享水平与质量。     

双重网络嵌入与企业创新绩效

企业是社会经济的最终执行者和最小组成单元,提升企业创新绩效是实现中国经济创新驱动发展的前提和保证。在嵌入式创新背景下,企业创新活动受到知识网络中知识元和协同网络中合作伙伴的双重影响。从网络结构视角研究知识网络嵌入和协同网络嵌入对企业创新绩效的影响,运用网络可视化技术构建武汉东湖高新区生物医药领域知识网络模型和协同网络模型,分析中心度和结构洞对于企业创新绩效的影响。结果表明：①企业创新绩效与知识网络中心度呈倒U型关系而与结构洞呈正相关关系;②企业创新绩效与协同网络中心度呈正相关关系而与结构洞程度关系不显著;③知识网络与协同网络相互分离无相关性。最后,从网络结构角度提出提升企业创新绩效的建议。     

Principles for the design of management control systems in knowledge networks: Experiences involving the European technology networks

The aim of this paper is to analyse technology-knowledge networks, especially the aspects relating to management control. The management of technology knowledge in a network is characterised by a number of special features that are typical of this form of organization, on the basis of which, we point out the main obstacles and disadvantages that condition the achievement of efficiency of their management. We will analyse management in these networks in light of the experience of various European institutions that actively participate in networks for the development of technological projects. The principal mechanisms used for the control of management will be obtained from the empirical study. Finally, on the basis of the empirical verification, we will consider the development of certain general principles for control in order to achieve greater efficiency in the management of knowledge in these networks.     

创新网络组织间知识转移影响因素元分析

为梳理创新网络组织间知识转移影响因素并从中识别关键因素,从知识特性、组织主体属性、组织间关系特征和网络结构特征等多维度出发,构建创新网络组织间知识转移影响因素模型,运用元分析方法对国内外2003-2018年80篇实证研究文献进行整合分析。结果显示：创新网络组织间知识转移阻碍因素有知识复杂性、内隐性、组织距离和知识距离,组织距离的阻碍作用最为显著;促进因素有转移意愿、转移能力、接受意愿、吸收能力、关系强度、信任、沟通、网络规模、中心性和结构洞,其中结构洞的促进作用效果最强;地理距离的影响不显著,但地理集聚因素在吸收能力、接受意愿、知识距离、关系强度、信任、网络规模和网络中心性与创新网络知识转移的关系中具有显著调节作用,并且知识距离的双重作用得到解释。     

Culture and knowledge spillovers in Europe: New perspectives for innovation and convergence policies?

Using European patent citations, we examine the geography of knowledge flows within Europe. We aim at analysing whether technologies flow more rapidly among countries that share similar economic, geographic, technological or cultural characteristics. The specificity of our approach consists in integrating indicators of culture and cultural similarity. The empirical results suggest that cultural distance has only a mitigated and moderate impact in comparison with other proximities. On the contrary, cultural belonging is shown to influence the geography of knowledge flows and innovation. More precisely, if some populations develop thanks to external knowledge exploitation, others rather explore internal new ideas and knowledge. In such a differentiated context (we find three types of culture), the efficiency of innovative policy seems to be culturally dependent.     

军民科技创新合作网络结构与演化——基于专利合作与社会网络实证分析

推进军民科技协同创新是攻克制约我国国防与经济发展科技难题的重要举措。为探索军民科技协同创新发展路径,采用北京市装备制造业2000-2019年军队单位、军工单位与民口单位联合专利申请数据,运用社会网络分析法和ArcGIS空间分析法,对北京市装备制造业军民科技创新合作网络结构和演化特征进行研究。结果发现,北京市装备制造业军民科技创新合作网络经历军民分离阶段、军民融合初步发展阶段,现正处于军民融合深度发展阶段初期。从结构特性看,创新合作网络规模不断扩大、密度逐步降低,网络结构呈现“多核心”特征、网络具有无标度特性;从空间分布看,北京与华东、中南地区合作频繁,逐渐形成以北京—陕西、北京—江苏、北京—河南为主的多条军民科技协同创新连接渠道;从核心节点看,军工高校与军队院校仍是军民科技研究主力,对军民科技协同创新发展起重要带动和引领作用。     

Joint R&D projects: Experiences in the context of European technology policy

Joint R&D projects have emerged as a significant model for the development of research and technological activities. Our study examines, through an exploratory analysis, the typology of joint R&D projects and the characteristics of R&D networks in which the projects are developed. In addition, the interrelation between the R&D projects in the context of European Technology Policy is analysed. Findings from survey data collected on joint R&D projects carried out in the context of European Framework Programmes indicate that three groups of R&D projects can be identified (invention, innovation and diffusion projects), and that each of these projects is managed inside the R&D network with a different degree of structuring and external opening. The analysis of interrelations between R&D projects also shows a low, non-linear and non-progressive interrelation. This conclusion is an important question to bear in mind in the design of scientific and technological policies.     

技术多元化、发明者网络嵌入与军民融合企业技术创新效率

采用随机前沿模型对2015—2020年中国内地107家军民融合企业技术创新效率进行测算,并基于军民融合企业专利数据构建技术多元化、发明者网络嵌入（结构洞和网络密度）等指标。运用社会网络分析与多元线性回归方法,实证分析技术多元化、发明者网络嵌入及两者交互作用、结构洞与网络密度的互补关系/平衡关系对军民融合企业技术创新效率的影响。结果发现：技术多元化、结构洞及两者交互作用对军民融合企业技术创新效率具有正向影响;网络密度及其与技术多元化的交互作用对军民融合企业技术创新效率具有负向影响;网络密度和结构洞的互补关系会抑制军民融合企业技术创新效率提升,但两者在军民融合企业内部的平衡关系能够促进军民融合企业技术创新效率提升。     

网络时代的新组织形成与“四维”形式研究

网络时代下,新的组织现象和组织形式不断涌现,有必要通过对新组织形成的动因、遵循的基本导向、新组织的各种形式等问题综合剖析以揭示新组织的价值创造过程及其本质。国内外近50年来关于新组织的研究提出,以互联网为核心的计算机通信技术带来的技术变革、认知转变和企业应变催生了新组织的出现;新组织的形成遵循知识创造、协作创新和角色重构三个基本导向;新组织形式的“相对新颖性”包括新结构、新主体、新形态和新要素四个方面,构成新组织的“四维”形式。新组织的价值创造过程本质上是由技术变革引发组织形式变化,进而导致组织能力提高形成的。对比科层组织与新组织的组织范式以及各种形式发现,利用新组织形式的多样、灵活、非理性特征对科层制组织架构进行适时调整,是科层组织演化、避免科层陷阱的重要方式。     

The Transfer of Resources and Competencies for Developing Technological Capabilities - The Case of Fujitsu-ICL

In the management literature and the literature on technology transfer, it is widely acknowledged that learning in general, and the leveraging of knowledge throughout firms in particular, is important. However, there appears little systematic evidence of what technology and knowledge is transferred between organizations and how this occurs. The literature also tends to neglect how firms use such technology/knowledge transfer to cultivate appropriate technological capabilities. This paper addresses this gap in the literature by examining the successful exchange of resources and competencies between Fujitsu and ICL, and how it helped to extend the technological capabilities of both firms. It traces the evolution of the relationship from that of a loose technology-sharing agreement to that of sustained project collaboration and partnership. This relationship proved to be enduring, and provides a road map for firms engaged in technology/knowledge transfer to develop their indigenous technological capabilities.     

双层网络嵌入下结构洞对企业二元创新的影响研究

网络结构特征影响企业知识转移与知识组合效果,进而对创新绩效产生复杂作用。利用我国165家上市企业2007—2018年专利面板数据,实证检验企业知识与协同双层网络嵌入对二元创新绩效的影响,并分析战略柔性和开放度对上述关系的调节作用。研究结果表明,企业知识网络结构洞正向影响利用式创新绩效,负向影响探索式创新绩效;协同网络结构洞与二元创新均存在负相关关系。同时,战略柔性和开放度调节双层网络结构洞与二元创新的关系,且变量间存在有效匹配关系：知识网络结构洞—开放度促进利用式创新绩效提升,而协同网络结构洞—战略柔性促进探索式创新绩效提升。研究结论为解决结构洞与企业创新关系的分歧带来新思路,同时为企业创新绩效提升提供理论借鉴。     

Regional clusters of innovative activity in Europe: are social capital and geographical proximity key determinants?

Finding proper policy instruments to promote productivity growth features prominently in the Europe 2020 strategy and is central in many national as well as European policy debates. In view of the increased mobility of high-skilled workers in Europe, ongoing globalization and increased interregional and international co-operation, location patterns of innovative activity may be subject to drastic changes. A proper understanding of location patterns of innovative outputs can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of national and European placed-based innovation policies. Building on the literature on the knowledge production function, the aim of this article is to explain the observed differences in the production of innovative outputs across European regions. Our main research question is whether geographical proximity and social capital are important vehicles of knowledge transmission in Europe. Several other variables are used to control for structural differences across European regions. We find support for the hypothesis that both social capital and geographical proximity are important factors in explaining the observed differences in the production of innovative output across European regions.     

WHEN IS FREQUENT FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT NECESSARY IN INNOVATION? A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TWO DISTRIBUTED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

This paper combines the concept of technological modularity from the product-development literature with the concept of brokers from literature about communities of practice to explain why some innovation project teams require frequent face-to-face interactions to efficiently co-create new technologies, whereas others do not. The explanation is explored through a comparative case-study analysis of two distributed product-development projects in the European software and telecommunications industries. These case-study projects traversed several geographical sites in Norway, Germany, Greece, England and the Netherlands as well various communities of practice related to a number of distinct technological specialisations. The method involved participative observations and 40 in-depth interviews with key project members, managers and consultants.     

Network structure and robustness: lessons for research programme design

The information and communication technology (ICT) network of the last two European Research Framework Programmes (FPs) is deeply influenced by two distinct groups of organizations: a small group of hubs (3% of the participants) hold the key to keeping the network together and a second group of non-hub connectors large enough (39% of the participants) with a significant share of the overall networking activity provide a robust base for the network. The ICT network can survive the removal of single important funding instruments such as integrated projects or specific targeted research projects. Increasing policy rhetoric on innovative application in the new FP (Horizon 2020) should be reflected in a shift of core participants from largely public research and teaching organizations to private-sector companies.