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Innovation and productivity in services and manufacturing : The role of ICT investment

Author

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  • Aboal D.
  • Tacsir E.

    (UNU-MERIT)

Abstract

Several studies have highlighted ICT as a driver of firm productivity in developed countries. However, the evidence about the impacts of ICT on services and manufacturing and particularly for developing countries is scarce. This paper focuses on understanding the determinants of investments in ICT at firm level and how this adoption ultimately affects innovation and productivity of Uruguayan services firms vis a vis manufacturing. Results show that ICT investments are more subject to economies of scale than other types of investments, are important for obtaining product or process innovations in services and its absence conspires against non-technological organisational or marketing innovations. Both ICT and other innovation investments are positively associated with productivity in services but only ICT affect productivity in manufacturing. Interestingly, the absence of investment in ICT is associated with lower levels of productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Aboal D. & Tacsir E., 2015. "Innovation and productivity in services and manufacturing : The role of ICT investment," MERIT Working Papers 2015-012, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2015012
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    Cited by:

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    2. Olivera Kostoska & Ilija Hristoski, 2017. "ICTs and innovation for competitiveness: Evidence for Western Balkans vis-?-vis the European Union," Zbornik radova Ekonomskog fakulteta u Rijeci/Proceedings of Rijeka Faculty of Economics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, vol. 35(2), pages 487-518.
    3. Juan Jung & Enrique López-Bazo & Matteo Grazzi, 2017. "“Internet and enterprise productivity:evidence from Latin America”," AQR Working Papers 201705, University of Barcelona, Regional Quantitative Analysis Group, revised May 2017.
    4. Orozco, Luis Antonio & Sanabria, John Alirio & Sosa, Juan Camilo & Aristizabal, Jeimy & López, Liliana, 2022. "How do IT investments interact with other resources to improve innovation?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 358-365.
    5. Clara Inés Pardo Martínez & Alexander Cotte Poveda, 2021. "Science, technology, innovation, theory and evidence: the new institutionality in Colombia," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 845-876, June.
    6. Roberto Álvarez, 2016. "The Impact of R&D and ICT Investment on Innovation and Productivity in Chilean Firms," Working Papers wp428, University of Chile, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm Behavior; Empirical Analysis; Innovation and Invention; Management of Technological Innovation and R&D; ICT; Government Policy;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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