Determinants of R&D in knowledge-intensive business services firms |
| |
| Authors: | David Doloreux Richard Shearmur Mercedes Rodriguez |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada;2. KEDGE Business School, Talence, France;3. School of Urban Planning, University of McGill, Montreal, QC, Canada;4. Department of International and Spanish Economics, University of Granada, Granada, Spain |
| |
| Abstract: | Research and development (R&D) is a key factor enabling firms to gather information, create knowledge and innovate. Although often seen as the preserve of goods-producing sectors, knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) in particular also engage in R&D. In this paper, we are interested in understanding the determinants of R&D in KIBS. We address this question by exploring factors connected to R&D in KIBS, with attention to whether it is connected with internal capabilities or to establishments' openness. We show that KIBS' R&D is associated with internal capabilities, and that recourse to external R&D is part of a strategy of openness that complements internal capacity. We also suggest that KIBS's own view of R&D is aligned with R&D in the goods-producing sector, leading establishments in non-technological KIBS sectors to under-report R&D. |
| |
| Keywords: | KIBS R& D open innovation Canada |
|
|
