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Beyond internal capacity: Research and technology organizations as embedded system actors in low-tech manufacturing

Author

Listed:
  • André Spithoven

    (Belgian Science Policy Office, Monitoring and Evaluation of Research and Innovation (MERI)
    Ghent University, Department of Economics)

  • Kristof Van Criekingen

    (Belgian Science Policy Office, Monitoring and Evaluation of Research and Innovation (MERI)
    KU Leuven, Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation)

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of research and technology organizations (RTOs)—specifically Belgium’s collective research centers (CRCs)—as systemic intermediaries within sectoral innovation systems. Focusing on traditional ‘low-tech’ manufacturing sectors, we explore why firms engage with these RTOs and how such engagements affect their innovation performance. Our findings suggest that firms primarily resort to CRCs due to internal capability limitations, particularly a shortage of qualified personnel. CRCs help address these limitations by providing technological, informational, operational, and regulatory support that enhances both market-related and efficiency-related performance. The results show that technological support is associated with improvements in both market and efficiency outcomes, while information and operational support have more targeted effects. By acting as embedded innovation system actors that bridge capability and interaction failures, CRCs enable low-tech firms to access external knowledge, build absorptive capacity, and sustain incremental innovation. These findings reinforce the relevance of understanding RTOs not merely as service providers, but as key institutional actors in the governance and functioning of innovation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • André Spithoven & Kristof Van Criekingen, 2026. "Beyond internal capacity: Research and technology organizations as embedded system actors in low-tech manufacturing," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:36:y:2026:i:1:d:10.1007_s00191-025-00926-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-025-00926-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    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
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O36 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Open Innovation

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