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Wie wichtig ist Wissensakquisition im Ausland für Innovation und Produktivität in der Schweiz?

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Abstract

In this study we use patents filed by Swiss firms to measure a firm’s total knowledge capital. Moreover, we distinguish between domestic and foreign knowledge capital by exploiting the informa-tion about the location of a patent’s inventors. Based on Swiss firm data for the period 1996–2015, we specify and estimate econometrically an innovation output and a total factor productivity equation with domestic and foreign knowledge capital variables as the focus right-hand variables in both equations. We find a significantly positive effect of total knowledge capital on both innovation performance and productivity. We find significant differences of the effects of the two categories of knowledge capital depending on the type of innovation (‘incremental’ or ‘radical’). We identify two possible mechanisms through which knowledge capital may influence total factor productivity, namely (a) through radical innovation and (b) through employee qualification. Finally, we find significant size-related differences with respect to the relative influence of the two knowledge categories on productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Spyros Arvanitis & Florian Seliger & Martin Wörter, 2019. "Wie wichtig ist Wissensakquisition im Ausland für Innovation und Produktivität in der Schweiz?," KOF Analysen, KOF Swiss Economic Institute, ETH Zurich, vol. 13(2), pages 26-37, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kof:anskof:v:13:y:2019:i:2:p:26-37
    DOI: 10.3929/ethz-b-000347276
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Spyros Arvanitis, 2012. "How do different motives for R&D cooperation affect firm performance? – An analysis based on Swiss micro data," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 981-1007, November.
    2. Cohen, Wesley M., 2010. "Fifty Years of Empirical Studies of Innovative Activity and Performance," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, in: Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 0, pages 129-213, Elsevier.
    3. Spyros Arvanitis & Thomas Bolli, 2013. "A Comparison of National and International Innovation Cooperation in Five European Countries," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 43(3), pages 163-191, November.
    4. Heinz Hollenstein, 2009. "Characteristics of Foreign R&D Strategies of Swiss Firms: Implications for Policy," Chapters, in: Dominique Foray (ed.), The New Economics of Technology Policy, chapter 19, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. James Levinsohn & Amil Petrin, 2003. "Estimating Production Functions Using Inputs to Control for Unobservables," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 70(2), pages 317-341.
    6. Spyros Arvanitis & Heinz Hollenstein, 2011. "How do different drivers of R&D investment in foreign locations affect domestic firm performance? An analysis based on Swiss panel micro data," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 20(2), pages 605-640, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international knowledge sourcing; domestic knowledge capital; foreign knowledge capital; patents; innovation performance; total factor productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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