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Knowledge Capital and Performance Heterogeneity: A Firm Level Innovation Study

Author

Listed:
  • Lööf, Hans

    (Industrial Economics and Management)

  • Heshmati, Almas

    (Dept. of Economic Statistics, Stockholm School of Economics)

Abstract

This paper is an empirical analysis of knowledge capital and performance heterogeneity at the firm level. We apply new econometric methods to extensive data on innovation and innovative activities in Swedish manufacturing. Knowledge capital, defined as the ratio of innovation sales to total sales, is found to be a significant factor contributing to the performance heterogeneity among firms. A number of interesting results emerge. First, the results show that there is a two-way and positive relationship between firm performance and knowledge capital. This relationship holds even when we control for human capital, type of output, firm size, capital intensity, entry, merger, partial closure or exit of firms. Second, the elasticity of productivity growth with respect to knowledge capital is doubled when all innovations are substituted for radical innovations. Third, knowledge capital rises with innovation input per employee. Fourth, profitability is important for the willingness of firms to invest in innovative activities. Fifth, when controlling for differences in innovation investments and human capital, knowledge intense firms are not more innovative than labor and capital intense firms. Finally, organizational rigidities in innovation projects are found to have a significant negative impact on innovation output.

Suggested Citation

  • Lööf, Hans & Heshmati, Almas, 2000. "Knowledge Capital and Performance Heterogeneity: A Firm Level Innovation Study," SSE/EFI Working Paper Series in Economics and Finance 387, Stockholm School of Economics, revised 15 Aug 2000.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:hastef:0387
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    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General
    • 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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