Economics: Research Guide

"Objective - Heritage sites are typical informal learning spaces that play significant roles in promoting cultural and historical knowledge among visitors. Visitors' engagement with heritage sites is a traditional view of exploring the informal learning spaces in the cultural sector. Methodology/Technique - Informal learning within heritage sites, however, has been informed and changed by digitization and virtualization in the cultural sector. But this generates new research interests in establishing links between traditional and digital cultural studies using a case study methodology. Finding - This paper discussed several cases to show how digital technologies inform visitors' engagement w..

We study resource misallocation by explicitly modelling R&D input and knowledge spillovers. The effects of R&D and spillovers on firm-level productivity are extensively studied in applied work, but not in the context of resource misallocation. We establish that, in the presence of spillovers, efficient resource allocation requires that more productive firms face higher R&D input prices. Analysing UK firm-level data, we find that the output gains from correcting misallocation are greatly overestimated when spillovers are ignored. Output losses due to capital distortions dominate those from labour and R&D inputs. Adopting a wrong R&D policy could lead to significant output losses.

This paper presents a systematic empirical study of covariates associated with the success of NIH Phase I SBIR-funded research projects, where success is defined in terms of the small, entrepreneurial firm conducting the Phase I research subsequently receiving a follow-on Phase II research award. We find that women-owned firms are especially disadvantaged in this regard. Our findings suggest that SBIR program managers consider recommendations to overcome these disadvantages. Our recommendations could enhance the rate at which follow-on Phase II research projects are funded and possibly the rate at which the developed technologies are commercialized.

Homophily studies have tended to focus on gender and race. Albeit that these comparisons are important, a focus on ethnic group relationships is conspicuously absent in the literature. In an effort to begin to fill this void, homophilic ethnic relationships among firm owners and publicly funded research project principal investigators is considered in this paper. Using data on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program funded projects and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program-funded projects, we find that the performance enhancing benefit of a homophilic relationship is dependent on the area of technology research. To the extent that the area of technology research is refl..

Though academic entrepreneurship has long been associated with technology transfer and more broadly with the passage of the 1980 Bayh-Dole Act in 1980, we have little understanding of its emergence as a research field. This paper therefore investigates development of the concept of academic entrepreneurship by studying the use of related keywords in the titles of papers published in the Journal of Technology Transfer (JTT) beginning with volume 1 in 1977. We conclude from our empirical findings that the role of universities in technology transfer has been consistently emphasized in the titles of papers published in the JTT over time, with entrepreneurship emerging more recently as a crucial ..

Empirical research shows that there is a synergistic relationship between quality management and market orientation that promotes the creation and delivery of value, customer satisfaction, and performance (El Manzani, 2021). By calling on the theory of dynamic capabilities, the main objective of this research is to enrich the literature by studying the effect of the complementarity between quality management and proactive market orientation on radical product innovation, considering the moderating role of environmental uncertainty in this relationship. The results of a quantitative study of 130 ISO 9001 certified companies that have rolled out radical product innovations reveal that the comp..

Purpose. This research examines the possibility of food and beverage (F&B)-processing multinational corporations serving as a viable conduit for the international diffusion of technology. Methodology. This study utilizes existing literature to analyse three potential avenues through which technology transfer occurs from these corporations to host sectors: contract farming, domestic collaboration for innovation, and spillover effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Findings. In specific instances, these firms might provide support to local innovators through financial assistance or complementary resources. Additionally, they may actively facilitate technology transfers to particular types..

We develop a model to examine how discount rates affect the nature and composition of innovation within an industry. Challenging conventional wisdom, we show that higher discount rates do not discourage firm innovation when accounting for the industry equilibrium. Higher discount rates deter fresh entry—effectively acting as entry barriers—but encourage innovation through the intensive margin, which can lead to a higher industry innovation rate on net. Simultaneously, high discount rates foster explorative over exploitative innovation. The model rationalizes observed patterns of innovation cyclicality, and predicts that lower entry in downturns hedges innovating incumbents against higher..

Motivated by the establishment of major U.S. Federal programs seeking to harness the potential of regional innovation ecosystems, we assess the promise and challenges of place-based innovation policy interventions. Relative to traditional research grants, place-based innovation policy interventions are not directed toward a specific research project but rather aim to reshape interactions among researchers and other stakeholders within a given geographic location. The most recent such policy - the NSF “Engines” program - is designed to enhance the productivity and impact of the investments made within a given regional innovation ecosystem. The impact of such an intervention depends on whe..

Prior studies have pointed out that the Japanese economy has lagged behind in IT and has not fully enjoyed the productivity benefits of IT investments, which has led to a prolonged slump in productivity growth to some extent. The spread of COVID-19 is forcing the Japanese economy to undergo digital transformation (DX), but there has been insufficient prior research in Japan on the impact of DX on corporate performance. This study analyzed the relationship between DX and corporate performance using firm-level data. The main findings are as follows: (1) IT investment is positively correlated with firm productivity, with the main contribution coming from software; (2) the establishment of a con..

Various studies have been conducted in the fields of sustainable operations management, optimization, and wastewater treatment, yielding unsubstantiated recovery. In the context of Europes climate neutrality vision, this paper reviews effective decarbonization strategies and proposes sustainable approaches to mitigate carbonization in various sectors such as building, energy, industry, and transportation. The study also explores the role of digitalization in decarbonization and reviews decarbonization policies that can direct governments action towards a climate-neutral society. The paper also presents a review of optimization approaches applied in the fields of science and technology, incor..

The capability framework in evolutionary economic geography views regional economic development as a process of related diversification through the acquisition of capabilities that render a regional economy more complex. Using this framework, we synthesize seven theoretical notions that hitherto remained rather disconnected: relatedness, complementarity, variety, complexity, diversification, agents of structural change, and related variety. We formulate a constructive critique of the capability framework, relaxing the overly restrictive assumption that the presence of capabilities in a region is both necessary and sufficient for complex products to be produced in a region. Instead, we argue ..

We model a key step in the innovation process, hypothesis generation, as the making of predictions over a vast combinatorial space. Traditionally, scientists and innovators use theory or intuition to guide their search. Increasingly, however, they use artificial intelligence (AI) instead. We model innovation as resulting from sequential search over a combinatorial design space, where the prioritization of costly tests is achieved using a predictive model. We represent the ranked output of the predictive model in the form of a hazard function. We then use discrete survival analysis to obtain the main innovation outcomes of interest – the probability of innovation, expected search duration, ..

This paper examines the potential of technological innovations in promoting sustainable agriculture in developing countries. With challenges like population growth, climate change, and limited resources, there is a critical need for efficient and environmentally sustainable farming practices. Technological innovations offer promising solutions to address these challenges and enhance resource efficiency while minimizing negative environmental impacts. The paper emphasizes the urgency of leveraging technology to overcome barriers faced by developing countries in agriculture. It discusses various technological innovations that can improve resource efficiency, including precision farming techniq..

This systematic review delves into the multifaceted relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and entrepreneurial ecosystems, with a particular focus on the impact of FDI on local startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The study investigates both the positive and negative effects of FDI, shedding light on its role as a double-edged sword in shaping local entrepreneurial landscapes. The positive effects encompass access to vital funding, enhanced resources, market expansion opportunities, the magnetism of skilled talent, and a culture of knowledge sharing. FDI serves as a lifeline, bridging the funding gap that often hampers local startups, and infusing them with t..

Does exporting intermediate goods induce learning from importers? In this paper, we examine to what extent learning from German industries can be explained by knowledge spillovers, channeled through the export of intermediate goods. Our study is based on a sample of 27 German trade partners in 14 manufacturing industries for the period 2004 to 2016. Using data on patent citations and trading in intermediate goods, we find support for the widely known “learning-by-exporting†hypothesis. Our analyses reveal that citations to German patents are positively related to exported intermediate goods weighted by German R&D expenditure. The relationship between these spillovers and learning s..

Productivity disparities in the European regions tend to persist. In order to understand the underlying sources of this phenomenon we assess the importance of science and regional innovation modes on firms’ productivity growth on a sample of 150, 712 firms across 161 NUTSII European regions, over the period 2012-2017. We find that science is a major source of firms’ productivity growth, and it has been particularly important to firms located in Southern Europe and, to less extent, in Eastern EU regions, indicating that a science-push convergence process is at work in the EU peripheral regions. Our findings also show that the fast-growing productivity firms are those who benefit..

The present study analyses the impact of subsidies to Research and Development (R&D), more specifically, the impact of QREN (Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional)’s Sistema de Incentivos à Investigação e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico nas Empresa (SI I&DT QREN), on the performance of firms. A relatively wide range of studies explores the relationship between subsidies to R&D and firms’ performance. Nevertheless, no consensus has been reached. Furthermore, the literature that analyses the impact of R&D subsidies in non-market-centred and moderate innovative economies like Portugal is quite scarce and limited. The information used in this empirical study concerns the period between..

Growth of knowledge-based economies hinges on the systematic application of science, which makes the efficient commercialization of university knowledge critical. Economic theory identifies determinants of the commercialization modes of science (license and entrepreneurship), such as search costs for licensees, post-license development costs, intellectual property ownership, commercialization skills of firms, and the efficiency of innovation intermediaries. Based on this theoretical framework, this study analyzes comprehensive university-level panel data (2018–2021) and presents the first evidence of the factor that most influences the commercialization modes of science. Estimation re..

The global financial crisis that burst in 2008 adversely affected business performance in many countries, especially in Europe. However, the impact of the crisis on entrepreneurship and business dynamics differed amongst countries, depending on their businesses resilience, the policies implemented, but also their predominant productive structure. The magnitude and length of the Greek depression have no precedent among modern middle and high-income economies. Still, to date, there is no systematic analysis of the impact of the crisis on entrepreneurship and business dynamism. This study attempts to fill this gap by examining individual firm, sectoral and regional level characteristics that mi..

Policy-makers and scholars often assume that a higher incidence of high-growth firms (HGFs) is synonymous with vibrant regional economic dynamics, and that HGF shares are persistent over time as Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EEs) have slowly-changing features. In this paper we test these hypotheses, which are deeply rooted in the EE literature. We draw upon Eurostat data for up to 20 countries over the period 2008-2020 and study HGF shares in NUTS-3 regions in Europe. Analysis of regional rankings yields the puzzling finding that the leading EEs in Europe, apparently, are in places such as southern Spain and southern Italy. These places would not normally be considered Europe’s foremost entr..

This study investigates the relationship between leadership styles and knowledge management within organizations. The main objective is to identify the most appropriate leadership style that fosters effective knowledge management practices and encourages knowledge sharing among employees. To achieve this, a quantitative research approach was adopted, employing questionnaire surveys as the primary data collection method. The reliability of the research instrument was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. The study employed regression analysis to analyse the collected data and determine the influence of various leadership styles on knowledge management outcomes. By analysing the data, the study aim..

This systematic review explores the complex dynamics between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and local entrepreneurial ecosystems, focusing on their impact on startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). FDI has emerged as a critical driver of economic development and innovation in an increasingly globalized world. While FDI offers numerous advantages, it also presents challenges, particularly for local startups. Positive effects of FDI include improved access to funding, enhanced resources, market expansion, talent attraction, and knowledge sharing. These benefits can boost the competitiveness and profitability of startups, enabling them to enter new markets and scale their opera..

Long-standing policy interest in the role of organisations specialised in research and experimental development (R&D) raises questions about how these organisations are classified under different institutional sectors and contribute to R&D statistics This paper reports on the findings of the pilot data collection conducted in 2022. The results show a diverse range of R&D specialist ecosystems as well as major reporting gaps. The ultimate aim of this exercise and its recommendations is to demonstrate how several OECD countries are able to provide meaningful statistical results using OECD guidance and promote the mainstreaming of reporting into future national and OECD R&D statistics.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has emerged as a significant driver of skill development and local capacity building within host countries. This systematic review explores the mechanisms through which FDI initiatives contribute to skill enhancement, knowledge transfer, and the overall development of local talent and economies. By examining various channels of knowledge exchange, including training programs, joint ventures, technology licensing, mentorship, research collaborations, and more, this review provides insights into the dynamic synergy created when global expertise meets local talent. The review highlights the multifaceted benefits of FDI for communities, including improved competit..

This essay aims to investigate the significant role that entrepreneurship, marketing, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) play in the transformation of startups into global enterprises. It explores how the integration of these four domains can drive innovation, enhance customer engagement, optimize operations, and foster business growth. The essay also discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise when leveraging entrepreneurship, marketing, IoT, and AI in the context of scaling up a business. Through a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature and case studies, this essay provides valuable insights into the interplay between these domains and their impact ..

This paper explores the role of technological innovations in advancing resource efficiency through circular economy strategies and industrial symbiosis. It highlights key innovations such as advanced recycling techniques, digital platforms for resource exchange, and product lifecycle management systems that enable resource conservation, waste reduction, and efficient material use. Industrial symbiosis networks leverage technology and innovation to facilitate resource sharing among companies, transforming waste from one industry into valuable inputs for another. This paper discusses the policy implications, identifies directions for future research, and emphasizes the need for collaboration, ..

This research paper aims at taking knowledge of the role of the university incubators in framing and accompaying competencies in order to create startups furthermore, to shade light on services offered for the incubated students through m'sila incubators, in its capacity as the most dynamic incubator at the national level , some of the most important of its activites and the different patents and label certaficates have been highlighted. Among the most important results of the studies, the experience of the m'sila incubator was obviously very successful, the fact that its director was nomineted at the top of the national coordination commitee to follow UP inovation and university incubators ..

Given that eco-innovations and the associated renewal of economic structures are pivotal in addressing environmental problems, economic geography research is increasingly focusing on their spatio-temporal dynamics. While green technological and industrial path developments in specific regions have received considerable attention, little effort has been made to derive general patterns of environmental inventive activities across regions. Drawing on unique data capturing both green incumbent and green start-up activities in the 401 German NUTS-3 regions over the period 1997-2018, this article aims to trace and compare the long-term green regional development. For this purpose, we introduce soc..