Tuomo Nikulainen

Identifying nanotechnological linkages in the Finnish economy – an explorative study

In this paper the focus is on identifying the technological linkages between the Finnish nanotechnology community and the large established companies. These linkages represent potential diffusion paths for nanotechnology. The technological linkages are first observed at a broader level in comparison with the technological strengths of the Finnish industries, and then in more detail at the level of companies. In addition, the absorptive capacity of the established companies is discussed to illustrate their ability to take advantage of external sources of knowledge. The descriptive analysis shows that the R&D activities of the Finnish nano-community are connected to the technological specialisation of Finnish industry in broader sense and that there are potential technological linkages to various industrial sectors, both in ‘low-tech’ and ‘high-tech’ areas. Further, the larger established companies with potential connections to nanotechnology are characterised by a higher level of absorptive capacity.

Patent citations indicating present value of the biotechnology business

In this paper our aim is to assess the potential of using patent statistics in predicting the future sales anticipations and present value of a company active in the science-based industry. Instead of using conventional patent and patent application counts as indicators, we constructed patent citation weighted portfolios for each company. This way the heterogeneity of patents can be taken into account. Our data covers biotechnology patents held by Finnish biotechnology companies. Empirical results imply that particularly backward citations are related to present value estimations of the companies. In contrast to some previous studies, forward citations do not seem to predict the present value estimations. The findings provide some important implications on interpreting the significance of patent citations regarding valuation of science-based companies, and planning technology and innovation policies.

R&D COLLABORATION AND NANOTECHNOLOGY — AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES

This paper focuses on assessing the modes of research and development (R&D) collaboration and technological lifecycles in the Finnish pulp and paper industry. This traditional manufacturing industry is currently undergoing changes due to market and technological developments. By discussing industrial and technological lifecycles, this paper aims to establish the extent to which these changes affect the R&D collaboration networks in the industry. The paper also provides insight regarding how the incumbents in this industry change their innovation activities in the face of a new science-based technology — nanotechnology — which is argued to have a significant impact on innovative activities in many traditional and high-tech industries. The results suggest that the Finnish pulp and paper industry is adapting to the changing innovation environment by increasing internal R&D investment and by extending and diversifying its R&D collaboration networks. The results also indicate that nanotechnology is seen as a potential new source of business for the pulp and paper industry but that investment will be required, particularly in absorptive capacity, to take advantage of these new technologies.