Aimilia Protogerou

Policy-driven collaborative research networks in Europe

This paper examines the nature and structure of particular types of networks, i.e. policy-driven collaborative research networks. More specifically, it analyses the emerging networks formed under the fourth, fifth, and sixth EU Framework Programmes in the area of Information Society Technologies. This considerable time-span of roughly 12 years allows for comprehensive monitoring of these networks’ evolution. Four sets of results with significant policy implications arise: (a) the networks analysed display characteristics of complex networks such as small-world property and scale-free distributions, (b) the networks examined are structured around a core of organizations, mainly universities and research institutes which have assumed a very influential role over time, (c) the introduction of new instruments in FP6 has considerably increased interconnectivity compared with the previous FPs, thus contributing to the implementation of the European Research Area initiative. In addition, another set of targeted instruments for upgrading the strategic position – within the networks – of promising peripheral actors should be designed.

Innovation in the European creative industries: a firm-level empirical approach

Abstract This paper explores the innovative performance of firms active in the creative industries (CIs). It identifies potential differentials in various innovation indicators between CI and non-CI young firms and examines drivers of the innovative performance of firms in the creative sectors. Our findings suggest that firms in the CIs outperform those in non-CIs both in terms of product innovation and R&D intensity, but not in terms of process and organisational innovation. Empirical analysis also suggests that the human capital of the founders as well as specific firm characteristics play a significant role in the innovative activity of firms in the CIs.

The impact of EU policy-driven research networks on the diffusion and deployment of innovation at the national level: the case of Greece

This article focuses on the impact of EU-funded collaborative research networks at a national level using a combined method approach, social network analysis and in-depth case study work. First, it examines the participation intensity and role of the Greek organizations in the research network established through the information society technologies priority of the European Communitys 4th, 5th and 6th Framework Programmes. Furthermore, it attempts to assess the impact of the IST research network on the diffusion and deployment of innovation in Greece. Some interesting results with significant policy implications arise. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

The relevance of the 'dynamic capabilities' perspective in low-tech sectors

This book contributes to the discussion about the relevance of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship for industrial innovation in the context of traditional low-technology industries.

Exploring knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship in high-tech and low-tech manufacturing sectors: differences and similarities

This book contributes to the discussion about the relevance of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship for industrial innovation in the context of traditional low-technology industries.

The impact of autotelic and dynamic capabilities on the performance of knowledge-intensive, low-tech ventures

This article explores the impact of autotelic capabilities on the performance of knowledge-intensive low-tech ventures at start-up stage in terms of initial competitive advantage, survival, growth and innovativeness. It also examines the effect of dynamic capabilities on the performance of these newly-established firms and indicates links among the two types of capabilities. The paper provides evidence that the development of autotelic capabilities can play a significant role in the creation of new knowledge-intensive low-tech ventures. The dimensions of autotelic capabilities, bricolage, improvisational and transcendental capabilities create novel business concepts and establish successful ventures in saturated competitive arenas. Autotelic capabilities act as precursors of dynamic capabilities. The study indicates that low-tech companies that invest and build their strategy on knowledge intensiveness and innovation may develop relatively strong DCs to gain competitive advantage.

Effects of University Research Exposure on Young Company Behavior and Performance

The number of university graduates is continuously raising for many years creating an additional supply of highly qualified labor which doesn’t always meet respective demand thus can’t be absorbed fully. This holds especially true for Ph.Ds of which ever more are entering the labor market although the number of academic positions remains stable and also businesses have limited capacities for Ph.Ds. What follows is that entrepreneurial activities become a serious option for tertiary graduates. Namely Ph.D. graduates engaged in establishing companies by means of using state of the art scientific knowledge which they developed at universities thus generating substantial impact of university produced knowledge on the economy and the broader society. Specifically the cognitive base and the founders’ educational background is an important determinant for the success and impact of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship in general and academic entrepreneurship in particular. The chapter introduces a broader definition of academic entrepreneurship and investigates whether new ventures founded by Ph.D. holders exhibit different characteristics and/or different behavior patterns compared to the rest of the firms established in the same period in Europe.

Dynamic Capabilities and Value Co-Creation in Low-Tech Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurial Ventures

Value co-creation (VCC) has been gaining increasing attention among scholars and practitioners as an overarching concept that describes collaboration between multiple stakeholders, be it companies, consumers, employees or other involved organizations (Nenonen and Storbacka, 2010). Fueled by Vargo and Lusch’s (2004) influential work on a co-creative service-dominant logic (SDL) of marketing, VCC appears to be an emerging innovation, marketing and business paradigm, which has recently turned to a growing area of literature.

Public procurement for e-government services: challenges and problems related to the implementation of a new innovative scheme in Greek local authorities

This book focuses on Public Procurement for Innovation. Public Procurement for Innovation is a specific demand-side innovation policy instrument. It occurs when a public organization places an order for a new or improved product to fulfill certain needs that cannot be met at the moment of the order. The book provides evidence of the potential benefits to public and private actors from the selective use of this policy instrument and illustrates the requirements and constraints for its operationalization. The book intends to significantly improve the understanding of key determinants of effective public procurement aiming to promote innovative capabilities in the supplying sectors and beyond. It provides both case studies and conceptual contributions that help extend the frontier of our understanding in areas where there are still significant gaps.

Autotelic capabilities and their impact on technological capabilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the emerging concept of autotelic capabilities and their impact on operational capabilities, and in particular, technological capabilities.Design/methodology/approach – Autotelic capabilities and their dimensions are discussed since they constitute a novel framework for new venturing in knowledge‐intensive, low‐tech industries. Links among the dimensions of autotelic capabilities and technological capabilities formation are explored, focusing on production technologies.Findings – The suggested links among autotelic and technological capabilities highlight the need to go beyond individual‐centered explanations of entrepreneurial activities towards the formation of integrated capabilities. They strengthen the assumption that autotelic capabilities exist as higher‐order capabilities in low‐tech but knowledge‐intensive venturing, are very specific, can be managed, and endue new ventures with technological capabilities.Research limitations/implications – ...