Foreign Expansion by Italian Manufacturing Firms in the Nineties: an Ordered Probit Analysis

This paper develops an index of internationalizationcommitment or foreign expansion index(FEI) of the firm. The FEI integrates variousdimensions of commitment tointernationalization that, although interrelated,have usually been analyzed independently, i.e.exports, foreign penetration operations (suchas foreign commercial agreements, sales outletsabroad and so on) and FDI. Because of itsprominent inter-firm relationships andNorth-South discrepancies, this study focuseson Italy, constructing FEIs for each of some4,000 firms for three periods characterized bydifferent exchange rate regimes. Thedeterminants of FEI in each period are studiedat both the macro and micro levels, the latterthrough the use of an ordered probit model. Thefindings suggest that: (a) firm size,inter-firm relations, innovation capabilities,location and technology are all highly significantdeterminants of FEI, but their relative impacton the foreign expansion is influenced by theexchange rate regime; and (b) although still lowand especially so in the South, Italy's FEIshave risen somewhat during the 1990s.     

The Determinants of Innovation: R & D,Technology Transfer and Networking Effects

The traditional analysis of innovation has focused on the Schumpeterian hypothesis of a positive link between market power and innovation. This often includes an implicitly linear view of the innovation process, with R & D as a necessary first step. This paper widens the determinants of innovation beyond R & D to include technology transfer and networking effects, thus extending the standard Schumpeterian analysis. When tested on a dataset of c. 1300 UK manufacturing plants, R & D, technology transfer and networking are found to be substitutes in the innovation process, with the two latter intensities especially important in increasing the extent of innovation. There is no evidence that (actual) monopoly power increases the extent of innovation, but there are significant plant and sectoral effects on innovation.     

The diffusion of television advertising

This study is an empirical examination of the diffusion of the use of network television advertising by manufacturing firms. The results indicate that manufacturers of consumer goods were likely to make use of television advertising sooner than manufacturers of producer goods and that, among producers of consumer goods, those producing more easily differentiable products were likely to adopt sooner than those producing more standardized products. Manufacturers of products sold in larger geographic markets were found to adopt sooner than those producing products sold in smaller markets. Larger market share was also found to induce earlier adoption of television advertising.     

The Determinants of Survival of Spanish Manufacturing Firms

This paper analyses the factors determining Spanish manufacturing firms survival–and exit. The data are drawn from the survey Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales for the period 1990–1999. The methodology includes both non-parametric techniques and the estimation of a Cox proportional hazards model (CPHM). Our results suggest that the probability of exit is higher for small firms and also for young and mature firms. Furthermore, exporting firms and firms performing R&D activities enjoy better survival prospects.     

基础设施对各行业生产率的影响研究

本文依据中国制造业各行业1986～ 2009年的面板数据,使用广义矩法等估计方法,检验了交通、通讯、电力装机容量等基础设施对中国制造业各行业全要素生产率的影响.在样本期间,交通基础设施对制造业各行业TFP的影响最为明显,弹性值在0.1左右;通讯设施的影响也显著为正,但弹性值较小,低于0.01;没有发现电力装机容量有明显的作用.     

PERSPECTIVE: Older Adults' Adoption of Technology: An Integrated Approach to Identifying Determinants and Barriers

Technology has recently begun to be explored as a way to cope with the challenges related to the aging of the population. However, while many technological systems for older adults have entered the market, the rate of adoption is low despite the potential benefits they intend to provide. The market response suggests that older adults' adoption of technology is not simply a matter of performance and price, but a complex issue that is affected by multiple factors. To address the issue in a more comprehensive way, this review study identifies factors that influence older adults' perceptions and decisions around adoption and use of technology‐enabled products and services with an integration of related findings from various fields. Based on a survey of related studies, 10 factors—value, usability, affordability, accessibility, technical support, social support, emotion, independence, experience, and confidence—are identified as the facilitators or determinants of older adults' adoption of technology. While previous studies have focused on detailed design and physical ease‐of‐use, the 10 factors provide a holistic framework that covers social contexts of use and delivery and communication channels as well as individual characteristics and technical features. This paper describes the factors with empirical evidence and design implications. The goal of this paper is to provide a base for a more comprehensive understanding of older adults as users and consumers of technology; to inform designers, developers, and managers about practical implications; and to set a research agenda for future studies in related fields.     

世界分工体系中的中国制造业

中国经济以非常快的速度融入世界经济，特别是中国制造业正在越来越深刻、越来越广泛地融入国际分工体系之中，中国市场成为国际市场的组成部分。中国工业高速增长同中国经济的快速对外开放和日益融入国际产业分工体系有着极为密切的关系。进入21世纪，随着经济实力和竞争力的不断增强，中国各工业部门的产业链继续延伸，产业融合进程特别是高新技术产业同传统产业的融合进程明显加快，产业创新能力显著增强，从而为中国走向新型工业化的道路奠定了基础。由于外国企业的大量进入，在中国市场上形成了中中、中外、外外之间的立体交叉竞争。即中国企业同中国企业的竞争、中国企业同外国企业的竞争、外国企业同外国企业的竞争，构成了中国制造业市场竞争的独特画面。世界产业的信息化、全球化、环保化趋势对中国产业发展产生了越来越广泛和深刻的影响，促进中国必须探索新型工业化的道路。中国的新型工业化，对于制造业本身而言，必然表现出“多元化、多技术、多层次”的显著特征。     

The Positive Effect of Industrial District on the Export Performance of Italian Firms

Economies of scale in the provision of export services and informal face-to-face exchanges of information about export markets may improve export performance of small firms located in Marshallian districts (locales). This paper presents an empirical test of this hypothesis and finds that geographical agglomeration of small-medium firms in a delimited area significantly affects their export intensity and their probability of becoming exporters. The significance of geographical agglomeration persists in spite of all controls which show how the dependent variable is also (positively) affected by export subsidies, formal export cooperation among firms, cooperation in (and quality of) innovation, size and age.     

The Determinants of R & D Expenditures: A Study of the Canadian Biotechnology Industry

The relative importance of a multitude of factors forthe allocation of expenses towards R & D are assessedin an empirical study of the Canadian biotechnologyindustry. The results show that patent protection andstrategic alliances facilitate R & D spending. Theresults also show that early-stage firms spend agreater proportion of the expenditures on R & D, whilefirms engaged in R & D in platform technologies andfirms with high debt-equity ratios spend a lowerproportion of their expenditures on R & D. Demand pulland competition variables are insignificant factors. Finally, counter to our expectations, R & Dexpenditures are more intensive among firms engaged inR & D in areas in which consumer controversies are morepronounced.     

中国制造业技术创新投入产出效率的DEA聚类分析

技术创新是提高企业竞争力的重要途径.运用DEA-最优分割聚类法对中国28个制造行业的技术创新效率进行实证分析.研究发现中国制造业技术创新效率总体水平较低,高技术制造业比传统制造业效率更低,制约制造业技术创新效率提高的主要原因是科技经费内部支出利用率低,产学研合作效率低,专利申请数不足.最后,提出改进中国制造业技术创新效率的建议.     

Profitability and Media Advertising in Greek Food Manufacturing Industries

The effect of advertising intensity in four media(television, radio, newspapers and magazines) on profitability is examined in this paper. Aprofitability model is tested using a unique 1993–1996panel data set of 350 Greek food manufacturing firms.Fixed effects results for the full model show thatonly television advertising increases profitabilitysignificantly. The results for eight major foodcategories estimated separately show importantdifferences between consumer and producer groups;television advertising effects on profitability arepositive and significant only in the consumerindustries where television advertising intensity ishigh. These findings show that television is the onlymedia where persuasive advertising exists in Greekfood manufacturing firms.     

中国制造业贸易成本的测度

传统贸易成本的估计采用缺乏微观基础且基于对称性假设的理论模型,本文利用克服以上缺点的模型,估计了中国与主要贸易伙伴之间制造业各产业的贸易成本,结果显示:1997—2007年,中国与主要贸易伙伴的贸易成本在制造业各产业上都表现出不同程度的逐年下降趋势,在制造业所有的产业中,高技术型制成品贸易成本最低,下降幅度最大。在主要贸易伙伴中,中国与日本、韩国的贸易成本低于欧美国家。中国与欧美等发达国家之间存在较大的技术鸿沟,高技术产业仍处于国际产品内分工的低端环节。因此,国家亟待调整和出台国际贸易及相关支持政策,引导、促进中国制造业在国际产业价值链中加快升级,减少贸易成本。     

论国际技术扩散对我国外贸发展的影响

开放经济条件下,通过国际贸易、FDI等渠道带来的技术扩散,是发展中国家实现技术进步与经济增长的重要方式。文章分别从贸易量、贸易结构、贸易条件等方面讨论了国际技术扩散对我国外贸发展的影响。分析表明,国际技术扩散极大地促进了我国的外贸发展．     

The Immensity of Technology . . . and the Role of the Individual

Technology is a force that reshapes society, the dominant organizer which fundamentally changes everything. It provides material comforts and benefits but can change social patterns and values. Major innovations are happening simultaneously, stretching biological, mental and social adaptation to the limit. Technological decision making relies on an equal focus on three areas: resources (knowledge and information), expression (skills and practices) and responsibility (values and ethics). Decisions cannot be left to the ‘blackbox’ stage when functioning is effectively hidden from view and the technology has entered our culture. Similarly, participation in decision making cannot be left to a select few but must be the role of every citizen. Ensuring full participation in decisions should form the central role of technology education if it is finally to be recognized as a full member of the ‘general education club’. All students must be able to reflect, develop ethical standards and demonstrate how values are expressed through technology. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Persistence of innovative activities, sectoral patterns of innovation and international technological specialization

In this paper, we focus on the role of persistence and heterogeneity of innovative activities at the level of the firm in determining the patterns of technological change in different industries and countries. We ask: are persistence and heterogeneity associated with higher degrees of concentration in innovative activities, stability in the ranking of innovators, and lower degrees of entry and exit in the population of innovators? Or, do the patterns of innovation depend on other variables like firm size and industrial concentration? Moreover, what are the relationships between the patterns of innovative activities, their determinants, and the technological specialization of countries? We compute indicators of persistence and heterogeneity using the OTAF-SPRU patent database at the firm level for five European countries over the period 1969–1986 for 33 technological classes. Then, we estimate the relationships between our indicators of the sectoral patterns of innovative activities and international technological specialization on the one hand, and our indicators of persistence, heterogeneity and market structure on the other. Results show that persistence and asymmetries are important (and strongly related) phenomena that affect the patterns of innovative activities across countries and sectors, while the role of market structure variables is less clear. Finally, international technological specialization is associated to a competitive core of persistent innovators.     

基于制造业技术创新的战略性贸易政策与我国产业结构优化研究

文章采用理论分析、数理建模、实证分析等方法,对战略性贸易政策在制造业技术创新、产业结构升级与优化中的重要作用进行了研究。研究结果表明：（1）LZFTR（政府资金投入）与CJP（初级品）的相关系数r＝-0.964,LZFTR与ZCP（工业制成品）的相关系数r＝0.982（P＜0.01）。表明战略性贸易政策能够有效降低初级品出口比重,增加工业制品的出口比重,从而促进出口贸易结构不断升级与优化;（2） 战略性贸易政策对高技术制造业产品出口贸易固定效应、随机效应模型系数值均为正,战略性贸易政策政府研究发展补贴每增加100%,高技术产业对外贸易结构就会优化0.0042,说明战略性贸易政策对高技术制造业产品的外贸易结构变化有正向促进作用;（3）战略性贸易政策对各高技术制造行业贸易结构的影响不尽相同,其对医药制造业及各小类行业对外贸易出口产业结构优化均有明显的促进作用,其对仪器仪表出口贸易结构优化有着明显的促进作用,但是对医疗设备与器械制造出口贸易结构优化的促进作用并不显著。在此基础上作者提出了推动我国实现产业结构优化的相关战略性贸易政策建议,以期为提高我国制造业的自主创新能力,优化产业结构提供一定的理论参考。     

国际制造业资本转移、最优产业配套与政策转变

国际制造业资本转移通常会带来较本土更高的产业技术水平，如果本土企业能够与国际制造业资本形成产业配套，将有助于本土企业技术水平的提高，有利于形成自主产业创新能力。本文建立了一个两阶段最优产业配套模型，揭示了在产业配套初期，本土企业为国际制造业资本进行产业配套和本土经济增长之间关系呈U型，在产业配套后期，上述关系又呈倒U型。从长期看，政府应当以在产业配套中积极培养本土企业自主的产业创新能力为政策目标，否则，本土企业在一轮轮的国际制造业资本转移中将陷入产业配套的“陷阱”中。     

The Influences of Teacher Knowledge and Authentic Formative Assessment on Student Learning in Technology Education

Students involved in holistic technological practice need to develop an understanding of technological practice outside the classroom and to participate in tasks set as close as practicable to actual technological practice. This paper investigates the context of assessment and its relationship to achievement and the importance of teacher knowledge to student technological practice. I argue that ‘out of context’ assessment tasks do not give an accurate indication of achievement levels of the children assessed. Introduced is the Model of Student Technological Practice, which identifies four constraints that influence student technological practice. A significant factor is teacher knowledge, as it impacts greatly on the quality of feedback given to students by their teachers. Timely teacher intervention and formative assessment feedback will alter student technological practice and should improve the students’ likelihood of developing successful outcomes.     

Networks for the commercialization of innovations: A review of how divergent network actors contribute

Successful commercialization is of great importance to innovative firms, and the recent literature has increasingly acknowledged that networks make a contribution not only to research and development but also to commercialization. However, research on networks facilitating the commercialization of innovations is scattered across divergent disciplines. A single company is rarely capable of generating successful diffusion in the commercialization of an innovation; success often requires cooperation between individual actors and organizations, and support from stakeholders. Consequently, the network aspect of commercialization is crucial. The aim of this study is thus to integrate the knowledge on how current research and business has employed the network approach in commercialization, and how contributors external to the innovator firm can facilitate the commercialization of innovations. On the basis of an extensive metatheoretical literature review and a qualitative and quantitative content analysis on articles linking networks explicitly to commercialization, this study produces a conceptual synthesis on network actors' contribution potential to commercialization. The analysis identified divergent network approaches to commercialization and gathered extant knowledge on “commercialization networks” from the multidisciplinary literature of innovation management, marketing, management, technology, entrepreneurship, and other relevant disciplines. Networks for commercialization have been linked to divergent network approaches, such as industrial networks, social networks, strategic networks, and entrepreneurship networks. According to the findings, customers and users, distributors, complementaries, suppliers, investors, associations, public organizations, and policy makers and regulators can support commercialization by performing practical commercialization tasks, facilitating innovation adoption/diffusion and creating markets. We also identified four modes of contribution. In terms of methods, qualitative research dominates current examinations on the topic while longitudinal research and investigations from multiple network actors' perspectives are almost absent. The results also indicate a need to develop coherent conceptualizations and accumulate knowledge that would strengthen the theoretical basis of the research. A pivotal contribution of this article is that it is the first to generate an integrative framework and a research agenda on networks for commercialization — a theme that is emergent, multifaceted, and crucial to innovative companies.