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What prevents spillovers from the pool of knowledge?

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  • Lööf, Hans

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

Abstract

This paper surveys theoretical and empirical literature on non-pecuniary flow of knowledge and the conditions and limitations for firms to benefit from positive externalities. Spillovers from the pool of accumulated knowledge generated by technological and scientific development is considered to be a key factor for economic development in modern growth models. Knowledge spillovers has also been a major topic of empirical research on firms’ innovation and economic performance over the last thirty years or more. By exploiting theoretical and methodological advances, and using more comprehensive, complex and detailed data sources, scholars from various scientific disciplines have improved the identification of factors, mechanisms, and channels that influence flows of knowledge within and across industries, technological regimes and regions. This research has deepened the understanding of the economic importance of knowledge spillovers.

Suggested Citation

  • Lööf, Hans, 2022. "What prevents spillovers from the pool of knowledge?," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 489, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0489
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    externalities; innovation; knowledge spillovers; productivity; technology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • 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
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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