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How Effective are Innovation Support Programs to Stimulate Innovation? Evidence from Paraguay

Author

Listed:
  • Diego Aboal
  • Gustavo Rojas
  • Belén Servín
  • Paz Queraltó

Abstract

In this paper we evaluate the impact of two programs to support innovation in micro, small and medium enterprises in Paraguay. This article has two contributions to literature. First, the evidence on the impact of this type of programs in developing countries is still scarce. Second, we evaluate the impacts on some variables that have been largely overlooked in the literature, such as innovation activities other than R&D. The evaluation finds positive and significant effects on the probability of carrying out various innovation activities, on the probability of achieving different types of innovation and on the incorporation of technical personnel to the firms. A negative effect on R&D was found, which might be showing a displacement effect of this innovation activity by others. The most robust results are those related to the impact of the program on process and product innovation. The impacts on innovation activities and employment are less robust to alternative specifications and samples.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego Aboal & Gustavo Rojas & Belén Servín & Paz Queraltó, 2019. "How Effective are Innovation Support Programs to Stimulate Innovation? Evidence from Paraguay," Documentos de Trabajo 17233, The Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA).
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000518:017233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation support programs; innovation; impact evaluation; Paraguay;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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