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Which firms are the most innovative? The importance of multinationals and exporters in Portugal

Author

Listed:
  • Armando Silva

    (General Council at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal)

  • Oscar Afonso

    (University of Porto, CEFUP Faculty of Economics, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 4200-464, Porto, Portugal)

  • Ana Paula Africano

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

We test the Global Engagement (GE) hypothesis according to which the most globally engaged firms, whether multinationals or exporters, are the most innovative. The test is applied to data from 4815 Portuguese firms for the period 2002–2004 based on the 4th Community Innovation Survey for Portugal. We estimated several Knowledge Production Functions, assuming that knowledge outputs result from the combination of certain knowledge inputs with the flow of ideas coming from the existing stock of knowledge. We found that the more internationally engaged firms create more knowledge output than their domestic counterparts; indeed, the more globalised firms apply more inputs and have the opportunity to use a larger stock of knowledge. Nevertheless, the relative perceived advantage of the more internationally exposed firms is also the result of their globalised nature, and is not directly connected with knowledge inputs or information flows.

Suggested Citation

  • Armando Silva & Oscar Afonso & Ana Paula Africano, 2013. "Which firms are the most innovative? The importance of multinationals and exporters in Portugal," Acta Oeconomica, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 63(2), pages 157-184, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aka:aoecon:v:63:y:2013:i:2:p:157-184
    Note: This work contains statistical data from the Community Innovation Survey 4 for Portugal. The data is used with permission from GPEARI/MCTES, but does not imply the endorsement of GPEARI/MCTES in relation to the interpretation or analysis of the statistical data. This article is based on a Working Paper (Faculty of Economics, University of Porto (FEP) No. 326). This article is a revised and complemented version, an original contribution.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aurora A. C. Teixeira & Ana Sofia Loureiro, 2019. "FDI, income inequality and poverty: a time series analysis of Portugal, 1973–2016," Portuguese Economic Journal, Springer;Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, vol. 18(3), pages 203-249, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    multinational firms; exporting; knowledge-production functions; innovation; Portugal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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