Hidden innovators: the role of non-R&D activities |
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Authors: | Andrés Barge-Gil María Jesús Nieto |
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Affiliation: | 1. Departamento de Fundamentos del Análisis Económico II , Universidad Complutense de Madrid. , Campus de Somosaguas s/n 28223, Madrid , Spain;2. Sección de Organización de Empresas , Universidad Carlos III de Madrid , C/Madrid, 126-Getafe, 28903 , Madrid , Spain |
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Abstract: | Although R&D has been highlighted as the main source of firm-level innovations, a significant group of firms develop innovations without performing R&D activities. The primary goal of this study is to understand the sources of innovation in such firms. To accomplish this goal, we explore the role played by other, non-R&D activities that can lead to innovation – activities such as technology forecasting, design, use of advanced manufacturing technologies and training. Our empirical analysis is based on a representative panel of Spanish manufacturing firms. The results strongly support the view that non-R&D activities are critical factors in explaining both product and process innovations attained by any firm, especially in the case of firms not performing R&D. Academic, managerial, and policy implications are derived from these results. |
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Keywords: | non-R& D performers technological forecasting design advanced manufacturing technology training |
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