John de la Mothe

Local and Regional Systems of Innovation

List of Contributors. Preface. Acknowledgments. Part A: In Search of Conceptual Framework. 1. Local and Regional Systems of Innovation as Learning Socio-Economies J. de la Mothe, G. Paquet. Part B: Conceptual Perspectives. 2. Calibrating the Learning Region R. Florida. 3. Regional Systems of Innovation and the Blurred Firm A. Saxenian. 4. Modeling Regional Innovation and Competitiveness T. Padmore, H. Gibson. Part C: International and Inter-Regional Perspectives. 5. Knowledge-Based Industrial Clustering: International Comparisons R. Voyer. 6. Contrasting U.S. Metropolitan Systems of Innovation Z.J. Acs, et al. 7. Contrasting Regional Innovation Systems in Oxford and Cambridge H.L. Smith, et al. 8. Telecoms in New Jersey: Spatial Determinants of Sectoral Investments C. Wymbs. Part D: Perspectives on Canadas Local and Regional Systems of Innovation. 9. Innovation in Enterprises in British Columbia J.A.D. Holbrook, L.P. Hughes. 10. How Do Small Firms Innovate in British Columbia? H.G. Schuetze. 11. The Dynamics of Regional Innovation in Ontario M.S. Gertler, et al. 12. Canadas Technology Triangle J. Roy. 13. The Chaudiere-Apalaches System of Industrial Innovations R. Landry, N. Amara. 14. Saint John, NB, as an Emerging Local System of Innovation R. Nimijean. 15. Canadian Science Parks, Universities, and Regional Development J. Doutriaux. PartE: Quo Vadis? 16. Some Lessons and Challenges for Model Builders, Data Gatherers and Other Tribes J. de la Mothe, G. Paquet. Index.

Local and Regional Systems of Innovation as Learning Socio-Economies

It is becoming widely recognized by policy makers, statistical agencies and economic analysts alike that, in an era of techno-globalism, the innovative capacity of regions is of heightened importance. However, one cannot proceed with the development of a new array of policy-relevant tools or statistical indicators pertaining to sub-national systems of innovation until a more comprehensive and realistic picture of the real economic dynamics of local and regional systems of innovation has been better developed. This book provides such an attempt. Up’ til now, one of the major weaknesses of the very best work that has been done in this area is the emphasis on the various infrastructures (physical, human, communications, etc.) associated with these systems. These features are not unimportant, but they only provide a limited insight into the workings of innovation systems. Moreover, they tend to generate the false impression that “systems” are co-terminous with the administrative contours of these infrastructures.

National Innovation Systems, ‘Real Economies’ and Instituted Processes

The design of institutions, policies and units of analysis are all predicated upon the ways in which we see the world and explain change. Today, as the pace of change quickens due to technological advancement and growing technoeconomic interdependencies in a series of processes generally referred to as ‘globalization’, analytic frameworks which emphasize ‘national systems’ have emerged to provide a unit of analysis through which to ‘explain’ these changes and growing interactions. These frameworks have the allure of trying to incorporate the ways in which economies, markets and economic agents actually behave – with particular reference to innovation, knowledge, learning and institutions. Our purpose in this paper is to raise some questions about the importance of these frameworks from a policy (managerial) and analytic perspective, to outline some limitations of their utility, and to suggest some useful paths for investigation.

Constructing Advantage: Distributed Innovation and the Management of Local Economic Growth

Abstract This paper discusses, in a preliminary way, the new dialogues that successful knowledge‐intensive communities have adopted in order to achieve global business growth. Using empirical data on innovation from cities in Canada and the United States; innovation governance models from small and medium sized countries including Scotland, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden; and using differences in technology sectors—particularly telecom and photonics—this paper will present some modest insights into the path dependencies of small firms, small nations and globally competitive innovations.

The economic and social dynamics of biotechnology

Contributors. Acknowledgements. Preface. Part I: Introduction. 1. Tools for Analysing Biotechnology J. de la Mothe, J. Niosi. Part II: Frameworks. 2. A Systems Framework for the Study of Economic and Social Dynamics of Biotechnology B. Carlsson. 3. The Industrial Potential of Biotechnology: A Competence Bloc Analysis G. Eliasson. 4. Biotechnology: Scientific Progress and Social Progress J. Senker. Part III: Measurement. 5. A Challenge for Measuring Biotechnology Activities A. Rose. 6. Measuring the Economic Impacts of Biotechnology: From R&D to Applications A. Arundel. 7. Strategy and Performance Factors Behind Rapid Growth in Canadian Biotechnology Firms J. Niosi. 8. Assessing the Role of the University of California in the States Biotechnology Economy C. Yarkin. Part IV: Impacts. 9. Internationally Comparable Indicators on Biotechnology B. Pattinson, et al. 10. The Contested International Regime for Biotechnology G.B. Doern. 11. Australian Biotechnology Firms: Problems in Appropriating Economic Returns to Knowledge M. McKelvey. 12. Competing Business Models in the French Biotechnology Industry V. Mangematin. 13. Knowledge, Markets and Biotechnology N. Stehr. 14. Biotechnology and Policy in an Innovation System: Strategy, Stewardship and Sector Promotion J. de la Mothe. Part V: Conclusion. 15. Issues for Future Research, Measurement and Policy J. de la Mothe, J. Niosi. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

The technology-trade nexus: Liberalization, warring blocs, or negotiated access?

Abstract The information age has triggered the emergence of a new basis for competitive advantage for both firms and nations. It depends increasingly on technical know-how, research and development, investment strategies of multinational firms, synergies, and untraded interdependencies within production systems. This has transformed the rules of the game and posed major challenges for policy makers. The paper develops a broad interpretative framework to examine these evolving realities, examines in some detail the new challenges, and shows that some strategies in good currency (open liberalization, warring blocs) are ill inspired. Then it puts forward an alternative strategy of negotiated market access likely to be more fruitful for middle-power countries, and sketches the basic orientations that such a strategy might take.

Firm Demographics in Silicon Valley North

The Ottawa-Gatineau Commercialization Task Force (CTF)was created to address issues of firm size among technology firms in SiliconValley North (SVN).To aid the CTF, teams from the business schools atCarleton University and the University of Ottawa collected research (1) toobserve the distribution of firms of various sizes in the region, and (2) tocompare SVN to other comparable technology clusters in the world.Focusingon five technological clusters (telecommunications, photonics,microelectronics, software and life sciences), the researchers utilized datacollected by the Ottawa Center for Research and Innovation (OCRI). The five clusters are described, as are the limitations of the OCRIdata.A history of SVN provides a thorough description of the evolution ofthis Canadian technology cluster, with its success attributed to its researchbase and the presence of a large private sector firm.The prevalence ofthe five technological clusters is also examined.SVNs firms are comparedin terms of size and distribution to high-tech firms in Silicon Valley,California, and Oxfordshire, England. The conclusions of the research were twofold:(1) when compared toSilicon Valley and Oxfordshire, Silicon Valley Northhas proportionatelyfewer small high-tech firms and more medium and large firms, and (2) incomparison to large California firms, Canadian high-tech firms have a tendencyto be small. (AKP)

Some Lessons and Challenges for Model Builders, Data Gatherers and Other Tribes

The preceeding wide ranging tours that make up this volume make of no claim to comprehensiveness. But they have the merit of having surveyed a vast territory. From this voyage, one must now derive some lessons.

Engineering the Canadian comparative advantage: Technology, trade, and investment in a small, open economy

Abstract The debate surrounding international trade and innovation policy in Canada is in transition. Traditionally, it has been conditioned by a cultural and economic reliance on natural resources. However, an emerging revisionist view holds that if Canada hopes to shed its “woodshed of the OECD” image and participate as a competitor in the new global economy, then it must develop a more integrative policy approach, which focuses on technology, trade, and investment. This paper reviews the elements of Canadas national technology debate as well as assessments of the countrys performance in science and technology. The authors conclude by suggesting that the Canadian experience offers some lessons for nations pursuing technology niche strategies. The paper also suggests the parameters of what Canadas competitive agenda might look like over the next decade.

Informational Innovations and Their Impacts

While the old economy was driven by manufacturing and tangible commodities, and was focused on the allocation of existing material resources, the new economy is knowledge-based and technology-driven. It is geared towards innovation, and to the creation of new use-values, products and services.