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Technology Spillovers and Innovation - the importance of domestic and foreign sources

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  • Lööf, Hans

    (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)

Abstract

This paper asks whether there is evidence of higher innovation output from firms where there is more foreign activity in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI), trade and collaboration on innovation, or if proximity between innovators is more important. With a sample of about two-thirds of Swedish firms with at least 10 employees and by accounting for selectivity and simultaneity biases, sector specific effects and firm specific effects, we find robust evidence for import spill over. There is also support for international knowledge transfer to the local firm from foreign units indicating the importance of both inward and outward FDI. We only find some weak find association between proximity to local partners and innovation. The most important aspect of the local milieu on innovation is skilled labour.

Suggested Citation

  • Lööf, Hans, 2007. "Technology Spillovers and Innovation - the importance of domestic and foreign sources," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 83, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, revised 29 Jun 2007.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Badi Baltagi & Peter Egger & Michaela Kesina, 2015. "Sources of productivity spillovers: panel data evidence from China," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 43(3), pages 389-402, June.
    2. Martin Andersson & Sara Johansson & Hans Lööf, 2012. "Firm Performance and International Trade – Evidence from a Small Open Economy," Chapters, in: Charlie Karlsson & Börje Johansson & Roger R. Stough (ed.), The Regional Economics of Knowledge and Talent, chapter 13, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Frenz, Marion & Ietto-Gillies, Grazia, 2009. "The impact on innovation performance of different sources of knowledge: Evidence from the UK Community Innovation Survey," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(7), pages 1125-1135, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation; knowledge spillovers; proximity; trade; FDI;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • 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

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