Determinants of Foreign Technological Activity in German Regions – A Count Model Analysis of Transnational Patents (1996-2009)
Eva Dettmann, Iciar Dominguez Lacasa, Jutta Günther, Björn Jindra
Abstract
This paper analyses the determinants of spatial distribution of foreign technological activity across 96 German regions (1996-2009). We identify foreign inventive activity by applying the ‘cross-border-ownership concept’ to transnational patent applications. The descriptive analysis shows that foreign technological activity more than doubled during the observation period with persistent spatial heterogeneity in Germany. Using a pooled count data model, we estimate the effect of various sources for externalities on the extent of foreign technological activity across regions. Our results show that foreign technological activity is attracted by technologically specialised sectors of regions. In contrast to existing findings this effect applies both to foreign as well as domestic sources of specialisation. We show that the relation between specialisation and foreign technological activity is non-linear and that it is influenced by sectoral heterogeneity. Externalities related to technological diversification attract foreign R&D only into ‘higher order’ regions.
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Subsidized Vocational Training: Stepping Stone or Trap? – Assessing Empirical Effects using Matching Techniques
Eva Dettmann, Jutta Günther
Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics,
No. 4,
2013
Abstract
Using replacement matching on the basis of a statistical distance function we try to answer the question of whether subsidized vocational training is related to a negative image effect for the graduates. The results show that young people with equal qualifications acquired during subsidized vocational training are disadvantaged solely due to the kind of education they have received. The probability of finding adequate employment is lower than in the control group. Besides the 'general effect' of support we also find less favorable job opportunities for those who attended 'external' as compared to 'workplace-related' training.
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Im Fokus: Geförderte FuE-Verbundprojekte: Sächsische Akteure wählen zunehmend Partner in räumlicher Nähe
Mirko Titze, Matthias Brachert, Wilfried Ehrenfeld
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 3,
2013
Abstract
Externe Kooperationen bei innovativen Projekten sind mit einer Reihe von Vorteilen verbunden. Oft werden solche Projekte durch Kooperationen überhaupt erst möglich. Die Literatur stellt dabei insbesondere den Austausch von Wissen heraus. Für den Austausch einer ganz besonderen Form des Wissens, des so genannten nicht kodifizierten Wissens, ist oftmals räumliche Nähe erforderlich, da nicht kodifiziertes Wissen überwiegend durch persönliche Kontakte ausgetauscht wird. Der Bund und die Länder wenden eine ganze Reihe von Förderprogrammen an, die Anreize zur Aufnahme von innovativen Kooperationsprojekten bieten. Der vorliegende Beitrag analysiert die Kooperationsstrukturen innerhalb geförderter Verbundprojekte des Bundes in den Zeiträumen 1995 bis 2000 und 2005 bis 2010. Die Untersuchung richtet sich auf den Freistaat Sachsen. Es zeigt sich, dass die sächsischen Akteure im zweiten Zeitraum mehr Partner innerhalb Sachsens und der ostdeutschen Länder gewählt haben als in der ersten Periode. Dies spricht offenbar dafür, dass sächsische Partner attraktiver werden, und ermöglicht durch die räumliche Nähe den stärkeren Austausch von nicht kodifiziertem Wissen, welches wichtig für den Erfolg von Innovationsaktivitäten einer Region ist.
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Sächsischer Technologiebericht 2012
Studie im Auftrag des Sächsischen Staatsministeriums für Wissenschaft und Kunst,
2013
Abstract
Der „Sächsische Technologiebericht 2012“ verfolgt das Ziel, das Innovationsgeschehen im Freistaat Sachsen umfassend darzustellen. Er beschreibt Potenziale und Rahmenbedingungen sowie Stärken und Schwächen der Innovationspraxis im Freistaat und ermöglicht als Monitoring-Instrument die Beobachtung der Entwicklung innovationsrelevanter Indikatoren im Zeitverlauf. Die Funktion des Monitorings erschöpft sich dabei nicht in der Erfassung von Ist-Zustand und Dynamik des Innovationsgeschehens, sondern soll Rückschlüsse darauf zulassen, ob durch die Politik vorgegebene Ziele erreicht wurden.
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Determinanten ausländischer FuE-Aktivität in Deutschland und der EU27
Eva Dettmann, Iciar Dominguez Lacasa, Jutta Günther, Björn Jindra, Philipp Marek, A. Gumpert
Internationale FuE-Standorte. Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem Nr. 11-2013,
No. 11,
2013
Abstract
Obwohl es sich grundsätzlich um kein neues Phänomenhandelt, so hat in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten die Internationalisierung von Forschungund Entwicklung (FuE) deutlich zugenommen. So zeigen z. B. Untersuchungen der OECD, dass die FuE-Ausgaben ausländischer Tochterunternehmen in der Periode zwischen 1995 und2003 doppelt so schnell angestiegen sind wie ihr Umsatz oder die aggregierten Importe des Gastlandes. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass FuE zu den dynamischen Elementen der Globalisierung gehört. Allerdings steht der Grad der FuE-Internationalisierung dem der Produktion oft noch nach, wenn man zumindest unterschiedliche Bereiche des Verarbeitenden Gewerbes in EU und OECD-Ländern betrachtet.
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What Drives Innovation Output from Subsidized R&D Cooperation? — Project-level Evidence from Germany
Michael Schwartz, Michael Fritsch, Jutta Günther, François Peglow
Technovation,
No. 6,
2012
Abstract
Using a large dataset of 406 subsidized R&D cooperation projects, we provide detailed insights into the relationship between project characteristics and innovation output. Patent applications and publications are used as measures for the innovation output of an R&D project. We find that large-firm involvement is strongly positively related with the number of patent applications, but not with the number of publications. Conversely, university involvement has positive effects on projects’ innovation output in terms of the number of publications but not in terms of patent applications. In general, projects’ funding as measure of projects’ size is an important predictor of the innovation output of R&D cooperation projects. No significant effects are found for the number of partners as (an alternative) measure of projects’ size, for spatial proximity between cooperation partners, for the involvement of a public institute for applied research, and for prior cooperation experiences. We derive conclusions for the design of R&D cooperation support schemes.
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A Systemic View on Knowledge-based Development Metrics
Mirko Titze, Michael Schwartz, Matthias Brachert
International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development,
No. 1,
2012
Abstract
Drawing on the systems perspective of innovation processes, this article proposes a conceptual approach for a comprehensive analysis of regional knowledge generation and transfer. Instead of focusing on one single indicator, the approach emphasizes the importance to take multiple channels of knowledge transfer into account. This provides valuable insights into the spatial structure of innovation processes on different levels. We disentangle the innovation process and consider four different layers: i.) publications in peer-reviewed journals, ii.) patent applications, iii.) formal R&D collaboration projects, the iv.) localized input-output relations. Further, we demonstrate the relevance of the „multi-layer approach‟ by applying it empirically to a specific regional innovation system: The Free State of Saxony – a federal state in Germany. We argue that the approach could be a valuable tool to inform policy-makers about knowledge-based regional development strategies.
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Distance Functions for Matching in Small Samples
Eva Dettmann, Christian Schmeißer, Claudia Becker
Computational Statistics & Data Analysis,
No. 5,
2011
Abstract
The development of ‘standards’ for the application of matching algorithms in empirical evaluation studies is still an outstanding goal. The first step of the matching procedure is the choice of an appropriate distance function. In empirical evaluation situations often the sample sizes are small. Moreover, they consist of variables with different scale levels which have to be considered explicitly in the matching process. A simulation is performed which is directed towards these empirical challenges and supplements former studies in this respect. The choice of the analysed distance functions is determined by the results of former theoretical studies and recommendations in the empirical literature. Thus, two balancing scores (the propensity score and the index score) and the Mahalanobis distance are considered. Additionally, aggregated statistical distance functions not yet used for empirical evaluation are included. The matching outcomes are compared using non-parametric scale-specific tests for identical distributions of the characteristics in the treatment and the control groups. The simulation results show that, in small samples, aggregated statistical distance functions are the better choice for summarising similarities in differently scaled variables compared to the commonly used measures.
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Measuring Regionalized Knowledge Generation and Transfer – A Feasibility Study Using a Multi-layer Approach in the Free State of Saxony
Mirko Titze, Matthias Brachert, Jutta Günther, Michael Schwartz
IWH-Sonderhefte,
No. 5,
2010
Abstract
Economic literature regards knowledge creation and learning as critical elements for gaining competitive advantage of regions. However, recognizing the importance of innovation and knowledge creation to economic success is far from being novel. Original is the view of increasing importance of knowledge creation for speeding up the depreciation of existing knowledge stocks. This puts a high pressure on regional actors to constantly participate in innovation processes to maintain their competitive advantages. Against this background, regional actors – if they aim to be successful in the globalized economy – first require access to a comprehensive and diversified knowledge base. Second, they need to participate in the processes of knowledge generation and knowledge transfer. Thereby, systemic innovation theory has pronounced the view that the locus of innovation and knowledge creation resides not only within the boundaries of the regional actors, such as private firms, universities, research laboratories, suppliers, and customers, but is the result of an interdependent exchange process between these different types. Collaborative interactions, bringing together different types of actors, may therefore lie well at the heart of accelerated knowledge creation and learning at the regional level (Lundvall and Johnson 1994).
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The Identification of Industrial Clusters – Methodical Aspects in a Multidimensional Framework for Cluster Identification
Mirko Titze, Matthias Brachert, Alexander Kubis
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 14,
2010
Abstract
We use a combination of measures of spatial concentration, qualitative input-output analysis and innovation interaction matrices to identify the horizontal and vertical dimension of industrial clusters in Saxony in 2005. We describe the spatial allocation of the industrial clusters and show possibilities of vertical interaction of clusters based on intermediate goods flows. With the help of region and sector-specific knowledge interaction matrices we are able to show that a sole focus on intermediate goods flows limits the identification of innovative actors in industrial clusters, as knowledge flows and intermediate goods flows do not show any major overlaps.
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