Patrick Ronde

The role of knowledge codification in the emergence of consensus under uncertainty: empirical analysis and policy implications

The aim of the article is to empirically analyse the main factors, which allow the emergence of consensus. Moreover, we raise the question of the nature of the codified process involved which seems to be too reducing to promote knowledge flows within the community and, therefore, to contribute to learning processes and better choices about the future. Our analysis relies on a prospective investigation based on a Delphi type study carried out by BETA in 1994.

Technological clusters with a knowledge-based principle: evidence from a Delphi investigation in the French case of the life sciences

Abstract Recent works in the theory of technical change show the effect of irreversibility and lock-in on the diffusion and creation of innovation processes, which are able to stop the development of a generic technology. Therefore, industrial policies play a major role in selecting and supporting the innovative process. The purpose of this paper is to prove the possibility to derive a typology of future innovations in terms of generic technology from a Delphi type technology survey. Thus, it is possible to get a better understanding of the industrial dynamics and to design an interesting tool for industrial policies or for firm strategies, as far as they aim at developing stable technological trajectories. This is applied to the French case of the life sciences. The paper suggests interesting explanatory trajectories in order to fight against diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer or Schizophrenia.

What kind of individual education for which type of regional innovative competence? An exploration of data on French industries

Hussler C. and Ronde P. (2005) What kind of individual education for which type of regional innovative competence? An exploration of data on French industries, Regional Studies 39 , 873–889. This paper tests the link between the educational structure and the industrial innovative potential of French regions. Its specificity lies, first, in using firms’ competences to innovate to depict (qualitatively) the innovative potential of regions; and, second, in analysing the respective influences of several types of training and knowledge bases. Regions with efficient universities host technologically complex industries with numerous innovative competences. Besides, the influence of other levels and types of education varies with the kind of industry and the type of competence at stake. Thus, regions have to run specific educational policies if they want to attract innovative partners.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE FRANCHISED? A KNOWLEDGE-BASED PERSPECTIVE

This paper investigates the rationale for choosing franchising rather than independent activity, arguing that this choice may be motivated by knowledge and competence considerations. We consider the franchise chain as a specific learning organizational form and explore whether this structure handles knowledge and builds competences according to an idiosyncratic pattern. Concretely, we empirically identify differences in the architecture of competences of franchised vs independent shops in the car maintenance industry in France, and analyse some causes for those differences. Thanks to in depth interviews coupled with lexical and quantitative analyses we find that franchised shops do master specific competences. However, the distinctive competences held by franchisees do not necessarily reflect franchisors’ knowledge, and are not exclusively the consequences of a shared identity in the franchise chain. We conclude that the development of franchise cannot be explained by competence-related arguments only, knowledge and competences being managed in distinctive ways within different franchising networks.

Is academic judgment sound? Evidence from technological agenda settings by experts

This paper is devoted to an evaluation of the reliability and legitimacy of scientific assessment in a technological policy context. Thanks to a foresight inquiry gathering more than 58000 opinions of French experts about technological priorities for the future, we examine whether technological agendas selected by academic experts coincide with industrial priorities, on the one hand and social needs on the other hand. We conclude on the (positive and negative) consequences of entrusting solely academia with the selection of national technological agenda. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.