Vincent Mangematin

What kind of knowledge can a firm absorb

Economists emphasise the crucial role of absorptive capacity with regard to external knowledge. In this respect, the firms knowledge base determines its ability to recognise, assimilate and exploit externalities. Assuming that a firms absorptive capacity also depends upon the characteristics of external knowledge, this paper analyses the relationship between three basic concepts empirically defined: the fundamental or applied nature of knowledge, the tacit or codified form of knowledge and the absorptive capacity of the firm. Based on an empirical analysis of R&D contracts between Frances largest research institute and industrial firms, we show that a low absorptive capacity inhibits cooperation in R&D. The collaboration concerns mostly applied fields and needs informal interactions to support transfers (such as telephone calls, informal interviews and meetings). A high absorptive capacity extends the assimilation to all kinds of knowledge (applied, fundamental) through all types of vehicles (PhD students, scientific staff, technical devices). Altogether, absorption mechanisms seem to diversify as the firms absorption capacity increases.

Technological competition, strategies of the firms and the choice of the first users: the case of road guidance technologies

Based on an in-depth study of two different road guidance technologies, both under increasing returns to adoption, this paper is an attempt to elucidate the strategic game played by the producers and the first users before the introduction of the technologies onto the market. It shows that it is possible to endogenize the decisions made by the first users (who are chosen by the supplier) as much as those of the suppliers when they choose the first users. When identifying first users, firms evaluate their capacity to influence other potential adopters, a capacity which depends on their position in the social networks to which they belong. In order to enrol the first users, the producers of a technology develop various strategies, including standardization in voluntary standardization committees, pre-announcement, scientific legitimizing and even technological transformation of the product itself. Indeed, the first users who seem strategically vital by the sponsor of the first system are not necessarily the same as those targeted by the sponsors of the second technology. Thus, the degree of substitutability itself appears as an endogenous variable. This analysis provides a new basis for understanding technological competition and completes economic modelling of the competition.

Industry Life Cycle, Knowledge Generation and Technological Networks

This paper examines the links between the rhythm of knowledge generation, the types of actors involved in knowledge generation and the structure of networks of collaborations in the biotech sector. The analysis departs from all biotechnology patent applications covered by Derwent Biotechnology Abstracts (DBA). In 2001, more than 96,000 patents are reported in DBA, covering 40 intellectual property authorities. First, the number of patent applications is continuously increasing, though the number of radical innovations (new technological arrangements) reaches rapidly a steady state. Second, both the number of actors and the number of collaborations follow a bell shape, thus seeming to positively correlate with the rate of technological

Strategies of European SMEs in Biotechnology: The Role of Size, Technology and Market

Both the technological and market focus of 228 European biotechnology SMEs are analysed in this paper. Data from the Genetic Engineering catalogue provide a complementary representation compared to the patent publications that are most commonly used. Results of the analysis produce a new view of the development of biotech SMEs. First, no pattern of specialisation by country is observed, even though three types of company with different technological focus can be distinguished in the sample. Second, it is argued that the rapid technological evolution in this domain can hardly be explained by a rapid evolution of the technological basis of the companies, and should consequently be explained primarily by the creation of new SMEs. Third, four different patterns of linkage between technology and market focus are observed, by means of co-word analysis.

The effects of national policy on biotechnology development: the need for a broad policy approach

An assessment is made of the effectiveness of national policies for the biotechnology knowledge base and its commercialisation in 14 European Union member states. The assessment first reviews the various theoretical approaches that lie behind policies to promote the commercialisation of knowledge. It then discusses the EPOHITE study, including its aims, methodology and results. In the conclusions, the paper will use the results of the study to discuss any relationship between the policy approach of individual member states and their innovation performance. It will also discuss the application of the lessons learned from this study to the countries studied as well as to new member states of the EC and newly industrialising countries. Some of the difficulties to be overcome will also be tackled.

From sectoral to horizontal public policies: the evolution of support for biotechnology in Europe, 1994-2001

A number of policies have been developed in Europe, to facilitate the scientific and commercial development of high-technology sectors. How effective have these policies been? This paper addresses this question by exploring the impacts of policy on the development of biotechnology in the Member States. It analyses policy effects on the performance of different actor types that are crucial for a prospering biotechnology innovation system (start-ups, established firms, research labs, universities, and so on). The diversity of the measures and schemes to encourage the development of biotechnology reflects the diversity of the framework conditions, cultural preferences and political priorities in the Member States. Priority could have been given to research or to commercialisation. Incentive schemes and support policies could be dedicated to biotechnology as a sector, or targeted towards all innovative sectors, depending on national context. The organisation of research and development may be more or less efficient, depending on how funds are allocated and on the extent to which they are linked to priorities. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Creation and growth of high-tech SMEs : the role of the local environment

This book offers a novel insight into the economic dynamics of modern biotechnology, using examples from Europe to reflect global trends. The authors apply theoretical insight to a fundamental enigma of the modern learning society, namely, how and why the development of knowledge and ideas interact with market processes and the formation of industries and firms.

Estudo do processo de inovação tecnológica no setor agroindustrial: estudos de caso na cadeia produtiva de leite fluido no sistema setorial de inovação da França

The aim of this study is to evaluate the dynamics related to the implementation of technological innovations in the food processing industry. We use case studies and the sectorial innovation system approach to give evidence about the innovation process carried out by fluid milk processors in the French sectorial innovation system. The SIS of fluid milk in France is characterized by a high level of market opportunities and low appropriability - considering the fiercely vertical competition and spillovers - and low cumulativity at the firm level - as a consequence of the external character of R&D sources and the characteristics of the knowledge base. Nevertheless, the innovative projects described in the case studies evidenced that those parameters can be relaxed with an increasing level of appropriability (i) as a consequence of pioneering associated with the exploration of complementary assets (especially brand image) or (ii) pioneering associated with tacit learning in the development of new technologies.

Les entreprises de biotechnologie en France

Resume En exclusivite, voici les principaux resultats de la premiere enquete realisee en France aupres des petites et moyennes entreprises ayant une activite dans le domaine des biotechnologies.

From individual scientific visibility to collective competencies: The example of an academic department in the social sciences

The article discusses the role of university departments in the social sciences. It studies how to describe the three missions of university departments: education, research and consultancy services for public and private organisations. It also proposes some tools to evaluate to what extent these missions are connected. Until now, evaluation in this domain has focused primarily on research activities and far too few indicators have been developed for the other two missions. Moreover, evaluation is often performed on an individual basis, so that the synergy generated by work collectives is rarely evaluated.The purpose of this article is to propose a method for identifying and describing the competencies of a social science research and teaching department. This method can be used to study the articulation between the departments different activities—research, expertise and teaching. Maps of activity are generated, which can serve as a basis for strategic planning of future trends.The approach is based on an analysis of “traces” (articles, contracts, research reports, postgraduate training modules) of the activity of the different components of the Social Science Department, using lexicographic analysis tools. With keywords, titles, summaries and synopses of lectures, it is possible to draw up “maps” representing the departments main competencies.