SLNIW: 2nd International Conference on Networks Learning and Entrepreneurship, Waterford I.T. 7th/8th Dec 2011
The Inter-relationship between R&D Performance and External Networking for Innovation: Evidence from the Irish C.I.S.
Justin Doran & Eoin O’Leary,
Department of Economics
University College Cork
Introduction
This paper estimates the extent to which the interrelationship between R&D spending and external networking contributes to the innovation performance of Irish and foreign-owned businesses.
By providing econometric analysis of the Community Innovation Survey: 2006 to 2008, it contributes to an evaluation of Irish innovation policy.
Begins by profiling policy stance, then positions paper in context of recent literature on Irish innovation, leading to the formulation of a model to be tested.
Goes on to present descriptive statistics and regression results, followed by policy conclusions
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Irish Policy Context Most important policies that delivered ‘Celtic Tiger’
12.5% corporation tax Targeting high-technology foreign-owned sectors
Objective was ‘Industrialization by Invitation’ with multi-nationals embedding in Irish economy
Policy a success if need for IDA pipeline lessened over time. Little Irish research done on different types of agglomeration
economies (O’Leary, 2007), with exception of Van Egeraat (2006). Reputation and demonstration effects may also be important in
explaining multi-national location (Barry et al , 2003). After 1990s, high cost led to focus on ‘Innovation by Invitation’ - only
‘smart’, ‘knowledge-based’ need apply!! Continued reliance on IDA pipeline – even more important in current
crisis A “very special kind” of micro-state (O’Leary, 2011)
Irish Policy on R&D
Government target to increase R&D by businesses and HEI’s.
Business +5.3% pa
Source: CSO, BERD Releases
Irish Policy on R&D and Networking Incentives for BERD
12.5% corporation tax attractive to all business. R&D is a cost centre – why would foreign businesses locate it
here? 25% R&D tax credit, grants etc eliminate disincentive. Range of additional supports for Indigenous industry
R&D Funds; Competence Centres; Applied Research Enhancement. Business Incentives linked to HERD
Investment in science seen as attractive to industry In addition, tax exemptions for all business on patents/licences
sourced in European Economic Area Range of supports for Indigenous industry working with HEIs
Innovation Vouchers; Innovation Partnerships; Technology Transfer; Spin-outs etc
Repeated emphasis on importance of Networking – Culliton (1992), Enterprise Strategy Group (2004), National Spatial Strategy (2002).
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Recent Evidence on Irish Innovation Policy Innovation policy criticized for
science-push focus through role of HEI’s focus on high-technology Evidence that external networking with HEIs might have limited
effect (Jordan and O’Leary, 2005, 2008 & 2011 – 184
High-tech) Now is a good time to evaluate innovation policy
Availability of broad-based Community Innovation Survey. Are Some Businesses More Likely to Innovate than Others?
Businesses in 5 sectors (including high-tech) are equally likely Foreign-owned businesses more likely to innovate ‘Dichotomous knowledge sourcing’ - some businesses network
with market agents and others, notable high-tech with non-market agents.
(Doran and O’Leary, 2011 – Irish CIS).
Recent Evidence on Irish Innovation Policy What is Role of External Networking for Innovation and
Productivity? Theory is that interactive learning crucial for innovation
performance External networking affects decision to innovate but not the
exploitation of innovation for productivity gains Important to drill deeper into R&D activity in Irish businesses
(Doran and O’Leary, 2011 – Irish CIS).
What are Private Returns to R&D Spending? For intramural spending Irish-owned businesses significantly
more likely than foreign-owned to introduce new products. Foreign-owned businesses enjoy very high returns to product
innovation for purchase or licence of patents, know-how. Further evidence of dichotomous innovation system suggesting
that ‘one-size-fits all’ policy may not be appropriate.
(Doran, Jordan and O’Leary, 2011 – Irish CIS).
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R&D, Networking and Innovation
R&D linked to absorptive capacity – increased ability to identify, assimilate and exploit knowledge for innovation (Cohen and Levinthal, 1989).
Research confirms R&D spending has consistently strong positive effects on probability and intensity of innovation (eg Crepon et al, 1998; Roper et al 2008, Doran and O’Leary, 2011)
External networking facilitates access to knowledge from both market and non-market agents.
Varying views in literature regarding the importance of networking relative to internal knowledge generation (Doran and O’Leary 2011; Roper et al 2008).
Standard approach treats R&D and Networking as independent (eg Jordan and O’Leary, 2008).
R&D, Networking and Innovation The main contribution of this paper is to analyse the inter-
relationship between networking and R&D. The following bivariate probit model is estimated
Where IOi is a binary indicator of whether firm i introduced an innovation
RD indicates firm i’s expenditure on R&D Net*RD indicates the relationship between firm i’s expenditure on R&D and
networking.
Predicted values from an estimation of a multivariate probit model for firms’ decision to network are used in equation (1) for Net to control for potential endogeneity.
(1) 1321 hikihkijihijijhih εZη*RDNetφRDφNetφδIO
Are Irish & Foreign-Owned Different?
A Chi2 test is undertaken to assess whether there is a statistical difference in the determinants of innovation for Irish and foreign-owned firms.
This tests the hypothesis that estimating equation (1) for both Irish and foreign-owned firms separately is more efficient than estimating equation (1) for the full sample.
If it is found that separate estimations are more efficient this suggests that grouping Irish and foreign-owned firms together in an econometric model provides incorrect estimates of the model.
This may result in the ‘identification’ of incorrect relationships between variables and the generation of conclusions and policy implications based on flawed results.
The Irish CIS – Innovation measures Product innovation is defined as the introduction of a new or
improved good or service with respect to its capabilities, user friendliness, components or sub-systems.
Process innovation is defined as the implementation of a new or improved production process, distribution method, or support activity for goods or services.
The Irish CIS provides information on whether firms engage forward networks (to customers), backward networks (to suppliers and consultants), horizontal networks (to competitors) and public networks (to universities and public research institutes).
Intramural R&D is defined as creative work undertaken within the enterprise to increase the stock of knowledge for developing new and Improved products and processes.
This paper also considers the relationship between R&D and networking. To account for this effect a multiplicative interaction term is generated which accounts for the simultaneous performance of R&D and engagement in networking.
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The Irish CIS – Summary Statistics
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Irish-Owned Foreign-Owned
stat S.D stat S.D
Innovation
Product Innovator (1/0) 26.58 n.a. 45.4 n.a.
Process innovator (1/0) 34.24 n.a. 49.23 n.a.
External Networking
Public interaction (1/0) 4.91 n.a. 7.77 n.a.
Backwards interaction (1/0) 7.77 n.a. 16.41 n.a.
Forward interaction (1/0) 6.09 n.a. 11.78 n.a.
Horizontal interaction (1/0) 2.61 n.a. 4.44 n.a.
Firm Specific Characteristics
R&D (€ per worker) 1402 3042 2381 3821
Employment (no. workers) 63 216 172 307
Source: Irish Community Innovation Survey 2006-08
Effect of inter-relationship between R&D Spending and Networking on the Probability
of Innovation?
R&D
Inter-relationship between R&D and Networking
Public Backward Forward Horizontal
Irish-OwnedProduct +0.26 +0.78 -0.88
Not Significant
Not Significant
Process +0.19 +1.16 -0.65 -0.94 +0.84
Foreign-Owned
Product +0.20
Not Significant
Not Significant
Not Significant
Not Significant
Process +0.09
Not Significant
Not Significant
Not Significant
Not Significant
Implications for Policymakers More evidence of dichotomous innovation systems for Irish and
Foreign-owned businesses. Consistent evidence that R&D matters for all businesses For Irish-owned, strong evidence that interrelationship between
networking and R&D is important Public and horizontal networking act as complements to R&D spending Contrary to Jordan and O’Leary (2008), evidence that HEI networking matters. Backward and forward networking substitutes for R&D spending Cost of R&D forces SME’s to engage in networking (Freel, 2003) Next step to investigate whether agents with whom Irish-owned businesses
network are located within Ireland!! For Foreign-owned no evidence that networking matters as only
R&D spending explains innovation performance Performance of innovation seems to be ‘self-contained’ Other factors such as human capital working with R&D may be important? These firms also spend significant amounts on purchase of licences and patents
– not addressed here!! ‘One-size-fits all’ innovation policy may not be appropriate.