IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/joevec/v36y2026i1d10.1007_s00191-026-00946-9.html

Measuring the DUI mode of innovation efficiently: A short-scale approach

Author

Listed:
  • Leonie Reher

    (ifh Göttingen
    University of Göttingen)

  • Jörg Thomä

    (ifh Göttingen)

  • Kilian Bizer

    (ifh Göttingen
    University of Göttingen)

Abstract

This paper advances the empirical measurement of the doing–using–interacting (DUI) mode of innovation, based on the conceptual framework of Alhusen et al. Res Policy 50(4):104214 (2021) and its survey-based operationalization of Reher et al. ifh Working Paper 45 (2024b). Using data from German SMEs, we examine whether the three-dimensional structure of DUI learning theorized in the literature can be mirrored empirically. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) confirms this latent structure by identifying three main learning processes: (1) DUI internal (learning-by-doing and internal interaction), (2) DUI user-driven (learning-by-using), and (3) DUI external (learning-by-external-interaction). However, some factor loadings are problematic, suggesting that not all of the original indicators are suitable for measuring the DUI mode of innovation. Secondly, building on the latent structure identified through EFA, short scales of various lengths are developed using ant colony optimization (ACO) to address practical constraints in innovation surveys. This provides a starting point for the further development of DUI innovation indicators that are particularly suited to less R&D-intensive innovation contexts, such as small firms, low-tech sectors, and lagging regions, as well as corresponding short scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonie Reher & Jörg Thomä & Kilian Bizer, 2026. "Measuring the DUI mode of innovation efficiently: A short-scale approach," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 1-28, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:36:y:2026:i:1:d:10.1007_s00191-026-00946-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-026-00946-9
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00191-026-00946-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s00191-026-00946-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gault, Fred, 2018. "Defining and measuring innovation in all sectors of the economy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(3), pages 617-622.
    2. Jensen, Morten Berg & Johnson, Bjorn & Lorenz, Edward & Lundvall, Bengt Ake, 2007. "Forms of knowledge and modes of innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 680-693, June.
    3. Doloreux, David & Shearmur, Richard & St-Pierre, Laurie-Anne, 2024. "Innovation modes and knowledge interactions: A micro-geographic approach," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    4. Hervas-Oliver, Jose-Luis & Parrilli, Mario Davide & Sempere-Ripoll, Francisca, 2021. "SME modes of innovation in European catching-up countries: The impact of STI and DUI drivers on technological innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    5. Ulrich Schroeders & Oliver Wilhelm & Gabriel Olaru, 2016. "Meta-Heuristics in Short Scale Construction: Ant Colony Optimization and Genetic Algorithm," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, November.
    6. Hervás-Oliver, José-Luis & Parrilli, Mario Davide & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Sempere-Ripoll, Francisca, 2021. "The drivers of SME innovation in the regions of the EU," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).
    7. Parrilli, Mario Davide & Alcalde Heras, Henar, 2016. "STI and DUI innovation modes: Scientific-technological and context-specific nuances," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 747-756.
    8. Fred Gault, 2013. "Innovation indicators and measurement: challenges," Chapters, in: Fred Gault (ed.), Handbook of Innovation Indicators and Measurement, chapter 19, pages 441-464, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    9. Reher, Leonie & Runst, Petrik & Thomä, Jörg, 2024. "Personality and regional innovativeness: An empirical analysis of German patent data," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(6).
    10. Reher, Leonie & Runst, Petrik & Thomä, Jörg & Bizer, Kilian, 2024. "Measuring non-R&D drivers of innovation: The case of SMEs in lagging regions," ifh Working Papers 45/2024, Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Doloreux, David & Shearmur, Richard, 2023. "Does location matter? STI and DUI innovation modes in different geographic settings," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    2. Reher, Leonie & Thomä, Jörg & Bizer, Kilian, 2025. "Measuring the DUI mode of innovation efficiently: A short-scale approach," ifh Working Papers 48/2025, Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh).
    3. Piercey, Philip & Saunders, Chad & Doloreux, David, 2025. "The sensitivity of innovation modes to distance: Can we go the distance?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    4. Calvo, Nuria & Fernández-López, Sara & Rodríguez-Gulías, María Jesús & Rodeiro-Pazos, David, 2022. "The effect of population size and technological collaboration on firms' innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    5. Reher, Leonie & Runst, Petrik & Thomä, Jörg, 2024. "Personality and regional innovativeness: An empirical analysis of German patent data," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(6).
    6. Bischoff, Thore Sören & Hipp, Ann & Runst, Petrik, 2023. "Firm innovation and generalized trust as a regional resource," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(8).
    7. Runst Petrik & Thomä Jörg, 2025. "Mit integrativer Innovationspolitik ländliches Potenzial erschließen," Wirtschaftsdienst, Sciendo, vol. 105(6), pages 414-418.
    8. David Doloreux & Richard Shearmur, 2026. "Innovation modes in the peripheral economy," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 1-23, April.
    9. Bischoff, Thore Sören & Hipp, Ann & Runst, Petrik, 2022. "Firm innovation and generalized trust as a regional resource," ifh Working Papers 32/2022, Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh).
    10. Thomä, Jörg & Bischoff, Thore S., 2022. "From automation to databased business models - digitalization and its links to innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises," ifh Working Papers 31/2022, Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh), revised 2022.
    11. Weidner, Nadia & Som, Oliver & Horvat, Djerdj, 2023. "An integrated conceptual framework for analysing heterogeneous configurations of absorptive capacity in manufacturing firms with the DUI innovation mode," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    12. Doloreux, David & Shearmur, Richard & St-Pierre, Laurie-Anne, 2024. "Innovation modes and knowledge interactions: A micro-geographic approach," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    13. Marra, Mita & Alfano, Vincenzo & Celentano, Roberto Michele, 2022. "Assessing university-business collaborations for moderate innovators: Implications for university-led innovation policy evaluation," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    14. Marte C.W. Solheim & Ron Boschma & Sverre Herstad, 2018. "Related variety, unrelated variety and the novelty content of firm innovation in urban and non-urban locations," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1836, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Oct 2018.
    15. Nanditha Mathew & George Paily, 2022. "STI-DUI innovation modes and firm performance in the Indian capital goods industry: Do small firms differ from large ones?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 435-458, April.
    16. Binz, Christian & Gosens, Jorrit & Hansen, Teis & Hansen, Ulrich Elmer, 2017. "Toward Technology-Sensitive Catching-Up Policies: Insights from Renewable Energy in China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 418-437.
    17. Mathew, Nanditha & Paily, George, 2020. "STI-DUI innovation modes and firm performance in the Indian capital goods industry: Do small firms differ from large ones?," MERIT Working Papers 2020-008, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    18. Parrilli, Mario Davide & Balavac, Merima & Radicic, Dragana, 2020. "Business innovation modes and their impact on innovation outputs: Regional variations and the nature of innovation across EU regions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(8).
    19. Paula Viviana Robayo-Acuña & Odette Chams-Anturi & Iván Ricardo Ruíz-Castro, 2025. "Service innovation in emerging economies: the impact of DUI and STI innovation modes on innovation performance," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-19, December.
    20. Marko Lovec & Luka Juvančič, 2021. "The Role of Industrial Revival in Untapping the Bioeconomy’s Potential in Central and Eastern Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:36:y:2026:i:1:d:10.1007_s00191-026-00946-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.