Mutual Perception of Science and Industry in Innovation Networks – Evidence from East Germany
Jutta Günther, Cornelia Lang
D. Dyker (ed.), Network Dynamics in Emerging Regions of Europe, Imperial College Press,
2010
Abstract
The paper examines how science and industry perceive each other. Cooperation in the field of innovation and research and development has increased in recent years. But comprehensive empirical research on the mutual perception of science and industry is lacking so far. The article presents the results of explorative research based on a number of qualitative interviews with representatives from science and industry on that topic. The interviews were carried out in the Central German Region which is a centre of manufacturing industry especially of chemicals. So the two selected industries are chemical industry (high-tech based) and food processing (low-tech based). The paper provides remarks on the German innovation system. The empirical section summarizes the interview reports. We found only little evidence of conflict of interests between market-oriented industry and science organisations. Cooperation exists and works. The key issue is trust.
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Editorial
Ulrich Blum
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 6,
2010
Abstract
Gerät man in eine Zwickmühle, so hilft ein Befreiungsschlag. Zwänge sind durch innovatives und damit vor allem auch überraschendes Handeln, das nicht vorhergesehen und damit in der Wirkung abgeschwächt werden kann, zu überwinden. Schuldenlast und die Steuerbelastung bewirken derartige Zwänge, weshalb beide zurückgeführt werden müssen. Das gelingt durch Sparen und Konsolidieren oder auch durch dynamisches Wachstum. Beides steht in einem scheinbaren Widerspruch. Da Schulden aber unbillige personale und generationenspezifische Verteilungsungerechtigkeiten erzeugen und „Schuldenblasen“ in einer Spekulationsblase mit verheerenden Wirkungen für die Volkswirtschaft platzen können, müssen sie zurückgeführt werden. Eine effiziente Besteuerung kann helfen: Die Orientierung an der ökonomischen Leistungsfähigkeit impliziert auch, dass der Finanzsektor an den Kosten seiner Rettung beteiligt wird. Die Maßnahmen dürfen das Wachstum nicht abwürgen, plakativ: statt einer keynesianischen Hölle ein ricardianisches Paradies!
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The Identification of Industrial Clusters – Methodical Aspects in a Multidimensional Framework for Cluster Identification
Mirko Titze, Matthias Brachert, Alexander Kubis
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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Challenges for Future Regional Policy in East Germany. Does East Germany really show Characteristics of Mezzogiorno?
Mirko Titze
A. Kuklinski; E. Malak-Petlicka; P. Zuber (eds), Souther Italy – Eastern Germany – Eastern Poland. The Triple Mezzogiorno? Ministry of Regional Development,
2010
Abstract
Despite extensive government support the gap between East and West Germany has still not been successfully closed nearly 20 years post German unification. Hence, some economists tend to compare East Germany with Mezzogiorno – underdeveloped Southern Italy. East Germany is still subject to sever structural problems in comparison to West Germany: lower per capita income, lower productivity, higher unemployment rates, fewer firm headquarters and fewer innovation activities. There are East German regions with less than desirable rates of development. Nevertheless, the new federal states have shown some evidence of a convergence process. Some regions have developed very positively – they have improved their competitiveness and employment levels. As such, the comparison of East Germany with Mezzogiorno does not seem applicable today.
According to Neoclassical Growth Theory, regional policy is targeted enhancing investment (hereafter the notion ‘investment policy’ is used). has been the most important instrument in forcing the ‘reconstruction of the East’. Overall, the investment policy is seen as having been successful. It is not, however, the only factor influencing regional development – political policy makers noted in the mid 1990s that research and development (R&D) activities and regional concentrated production networks, amongst other factors, may also play a part. The investment policy instrument has therefore been adjusted. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that investment policy may fail in particular cases because it contains potentially conflicting targets. A ‘better road’ for future regional policy may lie in the support of regional production and innovation networks – the so-called industrial clusters. These clusters would need to be exactingly identified however to ensure effective and efficient cluster policies.
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Interactive Dynamic Capabilities and Regenerating the East German Innovation System
N. von Tunzelmann, Jutta Günther, Katja Wilde, Björn Jindra
Contributions to Political Economy,
2010
Abstract
The paper sets out a specification of capabilities and competencies derived from Sen’s work on consumer capabilities and welfare economics. This approach is one that proves remarkably easy to generalise, first to producer and supplier capabilities, and thence to interactive and dynamic capabilities. The approach is then applied via the consequential perspectives of regional systems of innovation and network alignment to the case of the efforts to regenerate the innovation system in East Germany since reunification. It is seen that this process can be divided into three periods, of which the most recent appears to meet some of the theoretical requirements for effective interactive capabilities. It is less clear that the criteria for dynamic capabilities—which involve considerations of speed-up and flexibility, to meet the market requirements in real time—have yet been taken sufficiently seriously.
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Consumer Awareness in the Adoption of Microgeneration Technologies: An Empirical Investigation in the Republic of Ireland
Claus Michelsen, A. O´Driscol, M.R. Mullen, Marius Claudy
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,
2010
Abstract
Despite major policy and marketing efforts, the uptake of microgeneration technologies in most European countries remains low. Whereas most academic studies and policy reports aim to identify the underlying reasons why people buy these new technologies, they often fail to assess the general level of consumer awareness. The process of adopting an innovation, however, shows that awareness is a prerequisite which needs to be understood before adoption can be addressed. This paper takes a closer look at awareness of microgeneration and presents the results from a nationally representative study conducted in the Republic of Ireland. Findings from logistic regressions clearly indicate that awareness varies significantly between the individual technologies and customer segments. The paper concludes with implications for policy makers and marketers aiming to promote microgeneration technologies in consumer markets.
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What Determines the Innovative Success of Subsidized Collaborative R&D Projects? – Project-Level Evidence from Germany –
Michael Schwartz, François Peglow, Michael Fritsch, Jutta Günther
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 7,
2010
published in: Technovation
Abstract
Systemic innovation theory emphasizes that innovations are the result of an interdependent exchange process between different organizations. This is reflected in the current paradigm in European innovation policy, which aims at the support of collaborative R&D and innovation projects bringing together science and industry. Building on a large data set using project-level evidence on 406 subsidized R&D cooperation projects, the present paper provides detailed insights on the relationship between the innovative success of R&D cooperation projects and project characteristics. Patent applications and publications are used as measures for direct outcomes of R&D projects. We also differentiate between academic-industry projects and pure inter-firm projects. Main results of negative binomial regressions are that large-firm involvement is positively related to pa-tent applications, but not to publications. Conversely, university involvement has positive effects on project outcomes in terms of publications but not in terms of patent applications. In general, projects’ funding is an important predictor of innovative success of R&D cooperation projects. No significant results are found for spatial proximity among cooperation partners and for the engagement of an applied research institute. Results are discussed with respect to the design of R&D cooperation support schemes.
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20 years of innovation policy in East Germany – from a pure “survival support” to high-tech subsidy
Jutta Günther, Nicole Nulsch, Katja Wilde
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
20 Jahre Deutsche Einheit - Teil 2 -
2010
Abstract
Mit dem Systemwechsel von einer planwirtschaftlich zu einer marktwirtschaftlich organisierten Wirtschaftsordnung erfuhr auch die Forschungs- und Entwicklungslandschaft in den Neuen Bundesländern tiefgreifende Veränderungen. Mit der Entflechtung, Umstrukturierung und Privatisierung der ehemals staatseigenen Betriebe kam es zu einem massiven Rückgang der industriellen Forschung und Entwicklung (FuE). Um den Erhalt der Industrieforschung und des Innovationspotenzials in den Neuen Bundesländern zu unterstützen, wurden vom Bund und von den Ländern unmittelbar nach der Wende Förderprogramme aufgelegt, um zunächst insbesondere dem starken Abbau des FuE-Personals entgegenzuwirken. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird eine Bestandsaufnahme der in Ostdeutschland seit 1990 wirksamen Förderprogramme des Bundes vorgelegt. Diese lassen sich hinsichtlich der primären Zielsetzung der Innovationspolitik in drei Phasen einteilen.
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20 Jahre nach dem Mauerfall: Stärken, Schwächen und Herausforderungen des ostdeutschen Innovationssystems heute
Jutta Günther, Katja Wilde, Marco Sunder, Mirko Titze
Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem Nr. 17-2010,
2010
Abstract
Der Beitrag geht zwanzig Jahre nach dem Fall der Mauer der Frage nach, welchen Entwicklungsstand das ostdeutsche Innovationssystem erreicht hat. Der Vergleich von Indikatoren der Innovationskraft in Ost- und Westdeutschland zeigt die hohe Bedeutung öffentlicher Forschung und Entwicklung in den Neuen Bundesländern. Private Ausgaben in diesem Bereich liegen in Ostdeutschland indes deutlich unter dem Bundesdurchschnitt, was zum großen Teil wirtschaftsstrukturellen Unterschieden zuzuschreiben ist. Einen Erfolgsfaktor stellte in den Neuen Bundesländern bislang das reichhaltige Angebot an gut ausgebildeten Fachkräften dar. Mit dem demographischen Wandel zeichnen sich auf diesem Gebiet jedoch Risiken ab, die innovative Rationalisierungskonzepte erfordern werden.
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