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Does absorptive capacity determine collaboration returns to innovation? A geographical dimension

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  • Erika Raquel Badillo

    (University of Barcelona
    University of Barcelona)

  • Rosina Moreno

    (University of Barcelona
    University of Barcelona)

Abstract

This paper aims to estimate the impact of collaboration in innovation activities with partners in different geographical areas on innovative performance. By using the Spanish Technological Innovation Panel, this study provides evidence that the benefits of collaboration differ across different dimensions of the geography. We find that the impact of extra-European cooperation on innovation performance is larger than that of national and European cooperation, indicating that firms tend to benefit more from interaction with international collaborators as a way to access new technologies or specialized and novel knowledge that they are unable to find locally. We also find evidence of the positive role played by absorptive capacity, concluding that it implies a higher premium on the innovation returns to cooperation in the international case and mainly in the European one.

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  • Erika Raquel Badillo & Rosina Moreno, 2018. "Does absorptive capacity determine collaboration returns to innovation? A geographical dimension," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 60(3), pages 473-499, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:60:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s00168-015-0696-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-015-0696-7
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    2. Siedschlag, Iulia & Meneto, Stefano & Tong Koecklin, Manuel, 2019. "Determinants of green innovations: Firm-level evidence," Papers WP643, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    3. Alberto Melane-Lavado & Agustín Álvarez-Herranz, 2018. "Different Ways to Access Knowledge for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation. The Effect of Foreign Direct Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-30, November.
    4. Iulia Siedschlag & Stefano Meneto & Manuel Tong Koecklin, 2022. "Enabling Green Innovations for the Circular Economy: What Factors Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-24, September.
    5. Spanos, Yiannis E., 2021. "Exploring heterogeneous returns to collaborative R&D: A marginal treatment effects perspective," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(5).
    6. Carlos M. Jardon & Nilda C. Tañski & Xavier Martinez-Cobas, 2023. "Sources of knowledge for innovation capability in subsistence small businesses: a case of the wood sector in Argentina," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 70(3), pages 839-860, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics

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